Classic Gorgons
This gorgeously painted Gorgon comes from the pediment of a temple at ancient Corcyra, on the island of Corfu, off the far northwestern coast of Greece. She embraces a horse at her breast.
Another Gorgon from the metope (near roof) of the temple at Corfu. She has serpents in her hair, wrapped around her waist, and coiling out form her body.
"Two drops of blood from the Gorgon...
One deadly,
the other brings healing of diseases."
--Euripides, Ion, 1003-1005
A wider view of the metope shows the Gorgon flanked by lionesses. Her two sons, one of whom was Pegasus, are by her sides.
Joyous tusked Gorgon surrounded
by serpents. 6th century.
The Gorgon travels:
Gorgon with tongue out and third eye showing. She supports the handle of the largest krater ever found, in the rich tomb of an early Celtic priestess or princess at Vix, France.
Scythians in the Ukraine adopted the Gorgon on their armor and coins. They lived in the Black Sea region that Greek tradition said had historically been the land of Amazons.
Scuhians Gorgon with wings, lion's forelegs, and a serpentine lower body ending in a fishtail. She holds two snakes in her hands in the Cretan manner. Amazingly, this ancient chased image shows the goddess wearing the festival headdress of Ukrainian and Russian into modern times.
A joyous Etruscan Gorgon with tusks in a ceramic seashell frame.
