Medusa

Medusa was the most famous incarnation of the Writhing Dread, and by extension, the gorgons, a type of hybrid beast created by the Isu as part of the Olympos Project. Medusa was originally a human but taken over by an Atlantis artifact known as the Prize of the Medusa, to act as a guardian for it in order to seal the Gates of Atlantis.

History

Myths

In Greek mythology, she was described as having had hair composed of live venomous snakes, wings and a gaze so deadly that all who faced it turned into stone. She was slain by the hero Perseus with a Sword of Eden, a harpe according to legend, given to him by Hermes. Hermes also helped Perseus by giving him winged sandals, and the goddess Athena gave Perseus a bronze shield polished mirror-bright.

After Perseus cut off her head, the winged foal Pegasos sprung from Medusa's neck, along with his brother Chrysaor.

Influence and legacy

In Korinthia, the story of Medusa inspired someone to carve a monumental statue of her grimacing head, known as the Cyclopean Head of Medusa, though later its creation was attributed to the Cyclopes.

It was also said that after Perseus had brought Medusa's head to Argos, the head was found in a mound of earth near Argos' agora.

During the Peloponnesian War, the Spartan misthios Kassandra was asked by the Spartan noblewoman Damia to tell the story of Perseus to her children Danae and Kristos and their friends.

In 47 BCE, the Medjay Bayek of Siwa acquired a rare heavy weapon named after Medusa, owing to her ferocity.

Behind the scenes

The mural depicting Perseus and Medusa in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey is based on a painting on a hydria from the 6th century BCE.

Though the creature fought in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey memory Writhing Dead is in dialogue consistently referred to as the "Writhing Dread", during the battle the creature bears the name "Medusa".

Gallery

• 
  Concept art of the Cyclopean Head of Medusa by Hugo Puzzuoli
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  The Head with the Kephisos' Sanctuary Ruins behind
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  Gorgon, possibly Medusa, as part of the Aegis on the Statue of Athena in Athens
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  Gorgon, possibly Medusa, as part of the Aegis on a marble statue of Athena
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  The face of a gorgon, possibly Medusa, on a shield
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  A 5th century BCE mural depicting Perseus beheading Medusa
• 
  Pegasos and Chrysaor emerging from the neck of the decapitated Medusa on the helmet of the set

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed III: Liberation (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Origins (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (artwork only)