this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2025
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[–] Iunnrais@lemmy.world 5 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

I think I’ve heard a Roman version before, but I’ve been utterly unable to find it again— everywhere has the Greek that I can find. I don’t care that it’s not the original, the Roman version is interesting in its own right.

The version I heard (but cannot find again! Argh!) had Medusa discovering the secrets of what amounts to shampoo, and being cursed by a goddess of beauty for daring to become as beautiful as said goddess, who was petty. So her beautiful (ie, washed) hair became snakes, and she was changed to be so ugly you turn to stone to look at her.

I’d love a tip to where I could find this version of the story again, or if the version I heard somewhere was even historical to begin with.

[–] Korval@lemmy.today 4 points 20 hours ago* (last edited 20 hours ago)

I can't help with the Roman version, but it sounds familiar to the take I heard on the Myths and Legends Podcast (if I'm remembering it right): Medusa becomes beautiful, Poseidon rapes her, Athena blames Medusa for getting raped and makes her hideous. I don't remember if Athena tops it off by compelling Perseus to murder Medusa, but she at least gives him the shield and the instructions on how to do it.

https://www.mythpodcast.com/12752/80a-medusa-golden-child/

Edit: I think I was actually meaning to respond to Xeroxcool.