PREFACE.

ACCORDING to classical legend, the Goddess Athena The Greek goddess of wisdom, craft, and war, often representing the intellectual or spiritual aspect of humanity. had once for votary A person, such as a monk or nun, who has made vows of dedication to religious service. a fair virgin named Medusa, who, becoming vain of her beauty and weary of the pure service of the maiden Goddess, introduced folly and defilement into the very sanctuary of the Temple in which she was wont to worship. Thereupon a terrible fate overtook her ; the beautiful face, which had been the cause of her fall, assumed an aspect so terrible as to blight and petrify all who looked upon it ; her tresses, once the chief object of her pride, were changed into vipers ; and the hands which had ministered to heaven became as the talons of a bird of prey. Thus transformed into a Gorgon, In Greek mythology, a monstrous female creature; Medusa is the most famous of the three Gorgon sisters. she brought forth monsters, and for a time devastated the earth. At length the hero Perseus, “Son of God,” In the myth, Perseus is the son of Zeus (the king of the gods) and the mortal Danaë. The authors use the phrase "Son of God" here to highlight a mystical or allegorical parallel between Greek myth and Christian theology. commissioned by Athena and Hermes, The messenger of the gods, associated with transitions and boundaries. and armed by them with wings and sword and shield, slew the terrible