Medusa, Apollo, and the Great Mother

Arthur Frothingham, one of the founding fathers of Art History, here discusses the problem of the Gorgon in ancient Greek art. The snake-haired gorgon Medusa has traditionally been explained by her role in classical Greek myth – as an apotropaic monster and object of conquest for gods and heroes. Frothingham here suggests that Medusa was, instead, a prehistoric earth goddess whose origins are buried in literature, yet survive in the ubiquitous use of Medusa in art and explain her prevalence in art when compared to other mythological monsters. To make his point he draws on his vast knowledge of other near-eastern art. This piece is of interest to students of ancient religion and art as well as those who wish to understand the origins of Art History as a discipline.