Beauty is power. This contemplation reassured Medusa–the youngest and loveliest of three fine-looking Gorgon sisters, born to a sea goddess–because she and no one else of the sisters were mortal. It consoled her, that is, until the day masked attackers invaded the Gorgon dominion and hauled the two immortal sisters from their home, indifferent to their magnificence or by their tears. One of the invaders took hold of Medusa as well, but then threw her aside with a repugnant look: ‘This one has the mortal stink upon her. We have no use for that which dies.’ Humiliated, infuriated, Medusa fled to the sanctuary of her mother and cast herself before the goddess, crying, ‘You deprived me eternal life–therefore I beseech you, give me power! Power, so I can bestow what life I have to liberating my sisters and take revenge on this injustice!’ After long thought, the goddesses granted her daughter’s appeal.