Gorgons

in Greek mythology, were daughters of Phorcys and Ceto, of extraordinary beauty, but because of their pride were changed by the gods into snakehaired monsters. Their heads were covered with dragon-scales, they had teeth like hyenas, brazen hands, and wings. Their appearance was so horrible that all who saw them were transformed into stone. Their names were: Stheno, Euryvale, and Medusa; the latter is usually called Gorgo. The first two were immortal, Medusa was not. When Perseus was ordered to get the head of the Gorgon, only Medusa could have been meant. SEE MEDUSA.