In Greek mythology, Medusa was a monstrous female character whose gaze could turn people to stone. one of three Gorgon sisters. Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale were monsters with brass hands, sharp fangs and hair of living, venomous snakes. The Gorgons and their other sisters the Graiae (and possibly the Hesperides), and their brother Ladon were children of Phorcys and Ceto. Some versions read that Medusa's sisters transformed themselves into monsters in order to protect Medusa.
One of the theories was that Medusa was the daughter of Hades and Aphrodite. They couldn't decide who she was left with. Eventually Aphrodite just took her. Hades was angry so he went and kidnapped her while Aphrodite was helping others. Hades raised her to use her "special powers" to hurt people. With her other sisters Euryale and Stheno, they were the most powerful people in the mystical world. One day a brave soldier decided to give the sisters a taste of their own medicine. He stood infront of Medusa, Euryal, and Stheno and put his golden shield up. All three of them saw their own reflection and were turned into stone