originally, Medusa was a beautiful maiden. She desecrated Athenas temple by lying there with Poseidon. Outraged, Athena turned Medusas hair into serpents. Medusa was killed by Perseus with the help of Athena and Hermes. He cut off her head and gave it to Athena. Medusas head was put onto Athenas shield; the blood dropped from the wound produced innumerable serpents that infest Africa.