In most versions of the story, Medusa was pregnant by Poseidon when she was beheaded in her sleep by the hero Perseus, who had been sent for his head by the king of Serifos Polydectes. With the help of Athena and Hermes, who gave him the winged sandals, the Hades helmet of invisibility, a sword and shield mirror, Perseus accomplished his mission. The hero slew Medusa making him look at his reflection in the mirror instead of directly to her face to avoid being petrified. When he cut his head, neck, sprang their offspring: the winged horse Pegasus and the giant Chrysaor, who later became the hero carrying the golden sword.

A cut off Medusa's head