Exactly what the title says it is.
This is adapted from Monsters and Villains of the Movies and Literature by Gerrie McCall, Dragons: Fearsome Monsters from Myth and Fiction by Gerrie McCall, and Mythical Monsters by Chris McNab.
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FACE: She once stunned men with her striking looks. After the goddess Athena punishes Medusa and turns her into a shocking monster, her cold, frightful gaze stuns them to death.
MOUTH: Medusa's breath has a foul odor similar to the scent of decaying flesh. Her white teeth narrow to points, like a snake's fangs. If anyone manages to get near her without dying, her teeth are capable of flaying the flesh from human bones. BODY: Medusa has the same body as when sh was a beauty. However, with one well aimed blow of Perseus' mighty sword, her body and terrible head part ways forever.
HAIR: Her long, lustrous hair changes into a slithering mass of poisonous snakes. Any person who manages to approach Medusa without looking at her is still in danger from the aggressive snakes that strike at anything that moves.
Once a beautiful woman in Greek mythology, Medusa is transformed by a jealous goddess into one of the most dangerous creatures in history. The god Poseidon falls in love with the gorgeous Medusa and meets her in the temple of the goddess Athena. The goddess is furious that her sacred temple is used for anything other than worship. As punishment, Medusa's flowing hair is turned into a nest of writhing, spitting snakes, and her lovely face becomes hideous. The formerly attractive and charming Medusa is now a frightening outcast, feared by everyone. Anyone who gazes at Medusa directly is immediately turned to stone. Her looks literally kill.
Perseus, who was raised by priests from Athena's temple, promises to bring King Polydectes and Athena the head of Medusa. Perseus quietly creeps up on Medusa as she is sleeping. He uses his polished shield as a mirror because looking directly at her means instant death. With her terrible image reflected in his shield, he swings his sturdy sword and cuts off her head in one powerful blow. Even in death, her severed head has the power to turn anyone who looks upon it to stone.
DID YOU KNOW? Perseus places Medusa's head in a pouch and takes it out during battles to turn his enemies to stone.
Medusa's head is later placed on Athena's shield as a symbol of the goddess' power.
When Perseus cuts off off Medusa's head, the blood that spills creates the multitude of snakes that inhabit Africa to this day.
Medusa's blood turns to red coral when it falls onto the ocean floor.
When King Atlas of Mauritania threatens Perseus and refuses to allow him into his palace, Perseus shows Atlas the severed head of Medusa. At the sight of Medusa's head, King Atlas is changed into a mountain in the desert of Africa. Mount Atlas stands there today, frozen eternally in place.
