Perseus was sent by the tyrant, Polydictes, to attempt the conquest
of the Gorgon, Medusa, a terrible monster, whose hair was hissing,
writhing snakes, and who possessed petrifying power sufficient to turn
all beholders into stone.
Perseus, favored by the gods and well equipped by them, sought the home
of the Gorgons. He was rendered invisible by Pluto’s helmet, and drew
near without detection. Minerva had loaned him her mirror-like shield
and, watching in it the reflected form of Medusa, he severed her head
and seizing it, bore it swiftly away to Polydictes, who, upon beholding
it, turned to stone.