Medusa was not a goddess.

She was one of the Gorgons, a group of three monstrous sisters who were daughters of the sea god Poseidon and the sea monster Ceto.

After being cursed by Athena, Medusa became feared for her ability to turn anyone who looked at her directly into stone.

She was famously slain by the hero Perseus, who was able to avoid her gaze by looking at her reflection in his polished shield.

After her passing, Medusa’s head was given to the goddess Athena, who placed it on her shield as a fearsome emblem.