The story of Medusa is that of beauty and tragedy. She was a devotee of Athena and cared for her temple. According to Ovid "She had stunning golden hair, with perfect ringlets framing her beautiful face. Her features were in perfect symmetry, her lips red like the purest wine." But, for her duties in the temple of Athena must remain a virgin. Posiedon was cross with Athena and as Medusa went to Athena’s temple to give offerings, she was raped in the temple by Poseidon on Athena's altar. In a fit of rage at the desecration of her temple, Athena lashed her anger at Medusa and cursed her looks that would cause such lust. Her hair fell out and grew serpents. Her gaze would turn men to stone.
