Perseus and Medusa
Sent to fetch Medusa's head, Perseus was aided by Athena (mirror-shield) and Hermes (winged sandals, sickle); he beheaded the Gorgon, and Pegasus and Chrysaor sprang from her blood [S1]S1 · Hesiod, Theogonyc. 700 BCEtextOpen source ↗[S5]S5 · Pseudo-Apollodorus, Library (Bibliotheca)c. 1st–2nd c. CE (transmits earlier)text.
Ancient Greek religion is a historical religion. Its myths are attested in primary literary and material sources; disagreements between authors (Hesiod vs. Orphic vs. local cults) are preserved as variants, not resolved.
The 'beautiful maiden' Medusa is Ovid's later version; Hesiod's Gorgons are monstrous from birth [S1]S1 · Hesiod, Theogonyc. 700 BCEtextOpen source ↗[S5]S5 · Pseudo-Apollodorus, Library (Bibliotheca)c. 1st–2nd c. CE (transmits earlier)text.