Gorgon's Head
A relic of the Gorgon, whose gaze could turn any who looked upon her to stone.
Andy Li · CC0
Gorgon's Head is a legendary amulet in the action role-playing game Grim Dawn. The item's name and concept draw from the head of Medusa, which in Greek mythology retained its ability to turn onlookers to stone after she was beheaded by the hero Perseus. According to the source, Perseus used the head as a weapon until he gave it to the goddess Athena to place on her shield, the Aegis. In classical antiquity, the image of the head of Medusa appeared in the evil-averting device known as the Gorgoneion.
- Type
- Legendary Amulet
- Game
- Grim Dawn
Lore & Background
The source describes Medusa as one of the three Gorgons, daughters of Phorcys and Ceto. Of the three sisters—Medusa, Euryale, and Stheno—only Medusa was mortal. She was generally described as a woman with living snakes in place of hair, and her appearance was so hideous that anyone who looked upon her was turned to stone. The 2nd-century BC writer Dionysius Scytobrachion placed the Gorgons in modern-day Libya, and Herodotus also associated the Gorgons with Libya, reporting traditions that located them there. According to Hesiod and Aeschylus, she lived and died on Sarpedon, somewhere near Cisthene.
In Their Own Story
Perseus was sent to fetch Medusa's head by King Polydectes of Seriphus, who wanted to marry Perseus's mother. The gods were well aware of this, and Perseus received help: a mirrored shield from Athena, sandals with gold wings from Hermes, a sword from Hephaestus, and Hades's helm of invisibility. Since Medusa was the only one of the three Gorgons who was mortal, Perseus was able to slay her while looking at the reflection from the mirrored shield. During that time, Medusa was pregnant by Poseidon. When Perseus beheaded her, Pegasus, a winged horse, and Chrysaor, a giant wielding a golden sword, sprang from her body.
Reader's Guide
The source notes that according to Ovid, the venomous vipers of the Sahara were said to have grown from spilt drops of Medusa's blood. The blood of Medusa also spawned the Amphisbaena, a horned dragon-like creature with a snake-headed tail. In a late version of the Medusa myth by the Roman poet Ovid, Medusa was originally a beautiful maiden, but when Neptune (the Roman equivalent of the Greek Poseidon) mated with her in the temple of Minerva (the Roman equivalent of the Greek Athena), the goddess punished Medusa by transforming her beautiful hair into horrible snakes. In classical Greek art, the depiction of Medusa shifted from hideous beast to an attractive young woman, both aggressor and victim, a tragic figure in her death.
Did You Know?
- Medusa's name in Ancient Greek, Μέδουσα (Médousa), means 'guardian, protectress'.
- Medusa was also called Gorgo (Ancient Greek: Γοργώ) or the Gorgon.
- According to the source, Jane Ellen Harrison argues that 'her potency only begins when her head is severed, and that potency resides in the head; she is in a word a mask with a body later appended'.
- In an ode written in 490 BC, Pindar speaks of 'fair-cheeked Medusa'.
- The earliest depiction of Medusa as a comely woman sleeping peacefully as Perseus beheads her comes from the artist Polygnotus.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of item is Gorgon's Head?
It is classified as a Legendary Amulet within the action role-playing game Grim Dawn. Players equip this neck piece to access powerful passive bonuses that aid in combat and survival.
What mythological inspiration does the item have?
The concept borrows from Greek mythology, specifically the severed head of Medusa which retained its petrifying gaze after death. In-game lore describes it as a relic capable of turning anyone who looks at it into stone.
How do players obtain Gorgon's Head?
This legendary gear drops randomly from enemies or containers throughout the game world during exploration. It can also be created through crafting systems once the player has gathered the required materials and unlocked relevant technologies.
What gameplay benefits does it offer?
The amulet provides unique statistical enhancements that vary based on random affixes generated upon acquisition. These bonuses often focus on increasing damage against stunned enemies or improving elemental resistances for the wearer.
Why is Gorgon's Head important in Grim Dawn?
It serves as a thematic bridge between classical antiquity and the game’s dark fantasy narrative through its design and naming. Fans recognize it as a high-tier piece of equipment that embodies the petrifying power associated with ancient myths.
More in Gear & Artifacts
Elsewhere in the Grim Dawn universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record