When Perseus (a son of Zeus) killed Medusa by cutting off her head (Theogony 280), from the drops of her blood sprang Pegasus and Khrysaor. In The Shield of Herakles by Hesiod, we are given a glimpse of Perseus’ reckless escape from the angry sisters after he had beheaded Medusa. He was wearing winged sandals and the Helm of Hades but the Gorgons were at his heels, the serpents on their heads and at their waists were snapping at Perseus as he sped away (Sword 220).

Athene carried the aegis of Zeus at Troy. The gigantic head of Gorgon, a thing of fear and horror, was the centerpiece of a series of warcraft icons: Terror, Hatred and Onslaught (The Iliad 5.741).

Insead of hair, they have live snakes; their necks are covered with scales; they have tusks like a boar's, golden hands and bronze wings. It is said, that the Gorgon, Medusa, was once a beautiful maiden, but because of her boasting that she was even more beautful than Athena, the goddess of wisdom stripped her of all her beautiful qualities leaving her the hideous monster of infamy. Because of her appearance, Medusa has the power to turn anyone who gazes upon her to stone. Unlike her sisters though, Medusa is mortal, and is killed by Perseus with the aid of Athena and Hermes. Her sisters, the other gorgons, Stheno and Euryale, are immortal. The blood of the Gorgon had special powers. It was a lethal poison, but it also granted Erichthonius the power to reanimate the dead. From the blood of Medusa, it is said that the winged horse Pegasus was created. The decapitated head of Medusa was used by Perseus to kill the sea monster Cetus. He then gave the head to Athena who fixed it in the middle of her Ægis, her shield (or breastplate).