Medusa is one of the three Gorgons of Greek mythology, the only mortal among her sisters Stheno and Euryale, daughters of the sea deities Phorcys and Ceto. Originally depicted as monsters with golden wings, bronze hands, and snakes for hair, the Gorgons were later represented as beautiful maidens. Medusa lived, according to sources, in the far West or in Libya. In various myths, she was initially a beautiful woman, transformed into a monster by Athena as punishment for lying with Poseidon in her temple. Perseus killed her, and from her blood sprang Chrysaor and Pegasus, while drops of her blood created coral. Homer mentions only one Gorgon, whose head adorned Athena’s aegis.