Heraclitus (the Paradoxographer) rationalizing the elements of the Perseus myth isā¦ certainly something. We have Medusa the sexy courtesan who fell in love with Perseus (MedusaxPerseus????), Hermes training Perseus in a racing program, the Graiai having a guide instead of a shared eye (although the edition says that the Graiai case was probably an interpolation), and Hades' hood isn't literal (although, I have to admit, the interpretation of Hades' hoodā¦ I found it interesting. Like, it's literal in the myth, but the symbolism suggested is interesting. Sorry, guys).
Medousa: They say that Medousa turned to stone those who gazed at her, and that when Perseus cut off her head a horse with wings came out. But it actually happened like this. She was a beautiful courtesan and any man who caught sight of her was transfixed as if he had been turned to stone. Itās just like we say, āupon catching sight of her, he was turned to stone.ā
When Perseus encountered her, she fell in love with him. She squandered her own wealth and utterly wasted the prime years of her life. When she had lost her youth and her wealth, she was left a lecherous old woman, the kind we call a āhorseā. For the head is the bloom of youth, and that is what Perseus took from her.
Perseus: The account given about Perseus is that Hermes gave him winged sandals. Actually, Hermes created a training program for running, in which Perseus gained a reputation for excellence. Spectators were amazed at his speed and said that he had wings attached to his feet. Itās just like how weāre in the habit of saying about fast runners, āhe took wing.ā
The Daughters of Phorcys: The daughters of Phorcys are imagined as all making use of a single eye, which they were continually passing around amongst themselves to whomever needed it next. But rather, it is likely that three women who had gone blind made use of a single guide for getting around. [Their names were Pephredo, Enyo and Perso. They kept guard over the golden apples.] [These sentences are likely an interpolation.]
The Cap of Hades: It is said about the cap of Hades that if someone put it on, like Perseus did, they became invisible. Actually, the cap of Hades is the fated destination into which the dead depart and become invisible.
Translation by by Billie Hall, Greta Hawes, Tate Jenetsky, Rosemary Selth, and Aaron Wallis.
