The story of Perseus as told by Diodorus

In the Diodorus version, the Gorgons were no monsters, but were a race of woman warriors, similar those of the

Normally, most classical authors say that the home of the Amazons were in the east, around the region of the Thermodon River in Pontus (a region in Asia Minor), but Diodorus tried to tell his readers that the others were wrong in their assumptions. Between the Amazons and the Gorgons were the Atlantians, who were constantly in war against the Gorgons.

The Amazons under their queen, Myrina, had conquered the Atlantians, when they destroyed Cernê, one of cities of the Atlantians. The Amazons had later came to the aid of the Atlantians, when the Gorgons were repeatedly raided their land. A great battle was fought, where the Amazons defeated and subdued the Gorgons in several battles. In the last battle, Myrina broke the power of the Gorgons, where they later group fled.

Generations later, the Gorgons regained their former power, under the reign of their own queen – Medusa. It was at this period, that Perseus began his own campaign against the Gorgons. In the battle that followed, Perseus killed Medusa and her Gorgons were defeated.

The Gorgons were completely destroyed, when Heracles, a descendant of Perseus, set out in his 10th labour, where he built the pillars at the end of Libya.

 The shocking transgression of gender roles has been central to Amazons' identity for thousands of years. And while much attention has been paid to the Amazon as warrior--the Iliad description, amazones antianeirai means "those who fight like men"—

1. Discuss the notable differences between Edith Hamilton’s Perseus myth and

Diodorus’s version. Note that the Didorus myth comes out of Sicily rather than Athens or

Crete.
2. Surmise (educated guess) how people from the time of Diodorus viewed this myth and/or

how might they feel about it. Who would this myth appeal to and what way of life,

message, or idea does this myth touch on? Discuss
3. You are a director for an upcoming film about Perseus and he has asked you to create an

a block-buster movie blending both Edith Hamilton’s version with Diodorus’. Discuss what

you would emphasize and/or discuss your artistic vision.

_____5 points for thoughtful details-

_____5 points for attention to mechanics and grammar-

_____5 points for taking care with your communication by thinking about your reader.

_____15 points