Source Verification: Perseus and Medusa

Every claim below is either what a named ancient source attests, in its own line or section, or a point where the sources themselves disagree.

What the Sources Attest

Why did Polydectes send Perseus after Medusa specifically?

Polydectes wanted Perseus's mother Danaë for himself and needed Perseus out of the way. He announced a demand for wedding gifts from every young man on the island, and when Perseus could offer nothing, Polydectes let him rashly promise anything, including Medusa's head - a target Polydectes expected to kill him rather than one he actually needed.

Source: Apollodorus, Library 2.4.2

Which god gave Perseus which piece of equipment?

Sources do not fully agree on the assignment. Apollodorus has nymphs supply the winged sandals, the cap of invisibility, and the kibisis satchel, with Hermes providing the sickle-sword and Athena the mirrored shield. Other tellings redistribute some of these items between Hermes and Athena directly, so the general list of magical aid is stable across the tradition even where the exact giver is not.

Source: Apollodorus, Library 2.4.2-2.4.3

Why couldn't Perseus just look at Medusa to fight her?

Medusa's gaze turned any living creature to stone on contact, so a direct fight was impossible for any ordinary attacker; the danger worked whether Medusa intended it or not. Perseus solved the problem by never looking at her directly at all, watching only her mirrored image in Athena's polished shield while he approached and struck.

Source: Apollodorus, Library 2.4.2-2.4.3

What came from Medusa's body when Perseus beheaded her?

Pegasus, the winged horse, and Chrysaor, a warrior born holding a golden sword, sprang from the wound at the neck. Both were children Medusa had already conceived with Poseidon before her death, which the tradition treats as having been trapped inside her until the beheading released them.

Source: Apollodorus, Library 2.4.3

What did Perseus do with Medusa's head after killing her?

He used it twice more before giving it away: once to turn a sea monster to stone while rescuing Andromeda, in some versions, and once to turn King Polydectes and his court to stone back on Seriphos when he found his mother still being pressured into marriage. Afterward Perseus gave the head to Athena, who mounted it on her aegis rather than keeping it in mortal hands.

Source: Apollodorus, Library 2.4.3

Where Accounts Differ

which god gave which gift

The specific divine gifts vary across sources. Some omit the cap of invisibility; others attribute different items to different gods.

Sources

Primary sources

Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2.4.2–2.4.3
Ovid, Metamorphoses 4.604–5.249
Pindar, Pythian Ode 12