Medusa, the Gorgon, who turns those who gaze upon her to stone, is one of the most popular and enduring figures of Greek mythology. Long after many other figures from Greek myth have been forgotten, she continues to live in popular culture. In this fascinating study of the legend of Medusa, Stephen R. Wilk begins by refamiliarizing readers with the story through ancient authors and classical artwork, then looks at the interpretations that have been given of the meaning of the myth through the years. Through careful examinations of astronomical phenomena and evidence of the use of gorgoneion, the Face of the Gorgon, on shields and on roofing tiles from around the world, Wilk offers startling new and unique interpretations of the myth and meaning of Medusa. Finally, Wilk explores the history of the Gorgon since Classical times, culminating in the modern use of Medusa as a symbol of Female Rage and Female Creativity.

"The author's twenty years of devoted and penetrating research has netted so engagingly seined a catch of fact and fancy that he is close to persuasive about [the origins of Medusa's] gaze....Wilk is open, judicious, and critically candid about the broad collage he has so inventively explored. Good to the last line of text, this rich book never even flirts with the sin of being boring."

"As the author of this interesting new book demonstrates, the Gorgon was not only an usually popular subject among Greek and Roman writers and artists, but she has also remained a favorite mythological character in modern times.... Wilk's in-depth study is a welcome addition to the scholarship about her, containing both extensive review of previous interpretative theories and adding quite a few insightful new ideas of his own."