Bronzed Resin Statue finished by hand in each particular detail. Medusa, the only mortal among the three Gorgons, had the power to turn anyone who looked at her to stone. Originally Medusa was a beautiful girl, but she desecrated the temple of Athena by lying there with Poseidon. For this reason, Athena, indignant, transformed Medusa's hair into snakes and later Perseus, with the help of Athena and Hermes, killed Medusa by cutting off her head and giving it to Athena, who placed it on her shield.