We visited Corfu Town, the ‘capital’ of this beautiful island said to have inspired Shakespeare’s play The Tempest’.

in the archaeology museum we came across this extraordinary temple pediment:

The sculpture shows the Gorgon Medusa from the Temple of Artemis in Corfu, dating back to around 580 BCE. Medusa was a monstrous figure in Greek mythology, known for her terrifying gaze that could turn people to stone.

Here’s a breakdown of her significance:

Appearance:
Typically depicted with snakes for hair and a fearsome face. In this sculpture, she is shown in a dynamic, running pose with wings spread and eyes wide open!!!

Mythology:
Medusa was originally a beautiful woman, but was transformed into a Gorgon as punishment for a violation of Athena’s temple.

Symbolism:
She is a complex figure, seen as a protective symbol, a representation of divine wrath, and a victim of injustice.

Artistic Representation:
Gorgons, and especially Medusa’s face, were commonly used in ancient Greek art and architecture, often as a protective symbol on shields, temples, and other objects.

Other exhibits from the Corfu archaeological museum include;