In the rich tapestry of Greek mythology‚ the Gorgons stand out as iconic and fearsome creatures‚ particularly Medusa‚ the most renowned among them. The Gorgons are three monstrous sisters – Stheno‚ Euryale‚ and Medusa – who were able to turn anyone who looked at them to stone. Euryale and Stheno were immortal‚ but Medusa ‘suffered a woeful fate’ and was not. In our documentary‚ Medusa with Natalie Haynes‚ we ventured to the beautiful Greek island of Corfu with classicist Natalie Haynes to discover the roots of the extraordinary myth of Medusa and investigate sites closely connected – including Corfu’s spectacular Gorgon pediment‚ a gigantic early image of Medusa that once protected a magnificent Archaic era temple to Artemis. The Gorgons have captured the imagination of storytellers‚ artists‚ and scholars for centuries. To understand their origin and significance‚ one must delve into the depths of Greek mythology and the ancient poem Theogony by the ancient Greek poet Hesiod. Hesiod’s Theogony and the birth of the Gorgons Gorgons were a popular image in Greek mythology‚ appearing in the earliest of written records of ancient Greek religious beliefs‚ including the two hugely influential epic poems of ancient Greece – Homer’s The Illiad and The Odyssey. Here they were depicted as a terrifying head on the shield of Greek warrior‚ Agamemnon‚ or a monster of the underworld. However‚ it was Hesiod’s Theogony that serves as a foundational text in Greek mythology‚ providing insights into the genealogy and origins of divine beings‚ and it was here that the origins of the Gorgons and their significance was explained. According to Hesiod‚ the Gorgons were born from the union of the sea deities Phorcys and Ceto. Phorcys‚ a primordial sea god‚ and Ceto‚ a sea monster‚ were parents to a myriad of monstrous offspring‚ including the three Gorgon sisters: Stheno (the mighty)‚ Euryale (the far-springer‚ or of the wide sea)‚ and Medusa (the queen). The Gorgon sisters were said to occupy a liminal space; their parents are sea creatures‚ they have wings‚ but dwelt on land – said to be on the farthest side of the western ocean‚ which some believe refers to Libya. Medusa‚ the mortal Gorgon Among the Gorgons‚ Medusa occupies a central role in Greek mythology.  After two gods had vied to be the protector of Athens – with the sea god Poseidon offering the sea‚ and Athena‚ goddess of wisdom‚ warfare‚ and handicraft‚ offering olive trees – Athens picked Athena. Originally a priestess in the temple of Athena‚ Medusa’s life took a tragic turn when she caught the eye of Poseidon‚ who raped her within the sacred walls of Athena’s temple‚ leading to the goddess’s wrath. As a punishment for violating her sacred space‚ Athena punished Medusa‚ turning Medusa’s hair into snakes and giving her a gaze that could turn mortals to stone. The iconography of Medusa is striking – a creature with a monstrous countenance‚ wings‚ and a head adorned with live serpents. This transformation not only punished Medusa but also served as a potent symbol of divine retribution in Greek mythology. ‘Perseus with the Head of Medusa’ by Antonio Canova(1757 – 1822) – in the Metropolitan Museum of ArtImage Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Ad Meskens; sculpture Antonio Canova / CC BY-SA 3.0 Perseus and the quest for Medusa’s head The narrative takes a turn with the introduction of Perseus. In a classic hero’s quest‚ Perseus‚ son of Zeus‚ is tasked with the perilous mission of beheading Medusa – the only mortal Gorgon. Equipped with gifts from the gods – a reflective shield from Athena‚ winged sandals from Hermes‚ and a sword from Hephaestus – Perseus embarks on this daunting mission. Guided by divine assistance‚ Perseus successfully decapitates Medusa without directly facing her gaze. The severed head‚ however‚ retained its petrifying power‚ serving as a potent weapon in subsequent mythological tales. Symbolism and interpretations The Gorgons‚ particularly Medusa‚ hold rich symbolic meanings in Greek mythology. One interpretation sees Medusa as a representation of divine wrath and the consequences of violating sacred spaces. The transformation from a beautiful priestess to a monstrous Gorgon with snakes in her hair becomes a cautionary tale of the wrath of the gods. Moreover‚ Medusa’s gaze turning individuals to stone can be seen as a metaphor for the inevitability of death. The petrification serves as a powerful reminder of mortality‚ emphasising the boundary between the mortal and divine realms. Artistic representations The myth of Medusa and the Gorgons has inspired countless artistic interpretations throughout history. From ancient Greek pottery to Renaissance paintings‚ artists have sought to capture the allure and terror associated with these mythical beings. Notable works include Caravaggio’s Medusa‚ where the artist depicts the severed head with haunting realism‚ capturing the moment of transformation frozen in time. On the Greek island of Corfu‚ a large statue of Medusa dating from 580 BC was found in the remains of the Temple of Artemis (an Archaic era and the oldest-known Greek stone temple). The statue would have been part of the pediment of the temple‚ and is on display at the Archaeological Museum of Corfu. It depicts this Gorgon as having wings‚ and as a strong woman with a wide mouth and protruding tongue (often depicting a cacophonous loud noise). It also shows Medusa’s two children: Pegasus and a golden giant. An archaic Gorgon (around 580 BC)‚ as depicted on a pediment from the temple of Artemis in Corfu‚ on display at the Archaeological Museum of CorfuImage Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Archaeological Museum of Corfu / CC BY-SA 4.0 The statue’s role would have been to look down at new arrivals‚ protecting and impressing at the temple’s entrance. Medusa was thought to scare or protect depending on who you are. To help her achieve this‚ fantastical wild beasts including a ‘leo-panther’ (lion/panther) are depicted by her. Because of their legendary and powerful gaze that could turn one to stone‚ in ancient Greece‚ images of the Gorgons (or an individual Gorgoneion – a stone head‚ engraving‚ or drawing of a Gorgon face‚ often with snakes protruding wildly and the tongue sticking out between her fangs) were frequently used as a talisman‚ and placed on doors‚ walls‚ floors‚ coins‚ shields‚ breastplates‚ tombstones‚ and on the ends of pipes or roofs‚ in the hopes of warding off evil. In later centuries‚ Gorgon imagery developed from depicting a monstrous woman with a wide mouth and tongue out‚ to a more beautiful and sedate-looking woman‚ but with a couple of snakes in the hair. Gorgons in popular culture The legacy of the Gorgons extends beyond ancient mythology into modern popular culture. The image of Medusa‚ with her serpent hair and petrifying gaze‚ has become a recognisable symbol in literature‚ art‚ and cinema. Whether in classical literature or contemporary fantasy novels‚ the Gorgons continue to captivate audiences with their otherworldly and fearsome nature‚ and remain a timeless exploration of human fascination with the divine‚ the monstrous‚ and the transformative power of myth.

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"(Trump) is going to make decisions on his own‚ without … I’m not even talking about Russia‚ but without both sides‚ without us‚" said Zelensky. "If he says this publicly‚ that’s a little scary. I’ve seen a lot‚ a lot of victims‚ but that’s really making me a bit stressed." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has lashed out at former President Trump over his Ukraine stance and recent rhetoric‚ particularly the GOP presidential front-runner’s claim that he can negotiate peace between Kiev and Moscow within 24 hours. Trump’s persistent statements saying he would intercede diplomatically and end the war has been met with mockery among top Ukrainian officials. Zelensky in a fresh interview with UK’s Channel 4 News has called Trump’s rhetoric “very dangerous”.  “Donald Trump‚ I invite you to Ukraine‚ to Kyiv. If you can stop the war during 24 hours‚ I think it will be enough to come‚” he said in the interview published Friday. “(Trump) is going to make decisions on his own‚ without … I’m not even talking about Russia‚ but without both sides‚ without us‚” Zelensky continued. “If he says this publicly‚ that’s a little scary. I’ve seen a lot‚ a lot of victims‚ but that’s really making me a bit stressed.” The Ukrainian leader added: “Because even if his idea (for ending the war) – that no one has heard yet – doesn’t work for us‚ for our people‚ he will do anything to implement his idea anyway. And this worries me a little.” It was within this context Zelensky followed by saying this is “very dangerous.”Introducing Next Level Foundational Energy from Dr. Jones Naturals starting at 30% off! This cutting-edge dietary supplement is designed to elevate your energy levels and support your overall well-being. Trump has repeatedly pledged while doing campaign rallies‚ “I will have it solved within one day‚ a peace between them.” The Biden White House has so far resisted any serious efforts to get Moscow at the same table talking to the Ukrainian side‚ given that realistically it would involve having to make territorial concessions. The US has only supported Zelensky’s plan‚ which demands that Russian troops immediately given up all seized territory in eastern Ukraine‚ relinquish Crimea‚ and pay war reparations to the Kiev government. Zelensky and his top officials were at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos this past week pushing for more countries‚ and especially representatives of the Global South‚ to get behind the plan. Donald Trump – after his victory in Iowa: ▪️We want peace through strength. Russia would never have attacked Ukraine‚ would never have done that. Putin and I get along great. ▪️The situation with Ukraine is so terrible. And we're going to solve it‚ we're going to solve it very… pic.twitter.com/TvmSKKScsI— EHA News (@eha_news) January 16‚ 2024 Last week‚ Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak said that Kiev now believes it is crucial for China to be at the table for future talks on its peace formula. “China needs to be involved in talks to end the war with Russia‚” the Ukrainian top representative said following diplomatic meetings related to the WEF. China remains the most influential Global South country widely viewed as squarely in Russia’s corner‚ having refused to rebuke Moscow or join Western-led sanctions after two years of the conflict. NATO Officially Mobilizes 90‚000 Troops To Prepare For War With Russia‚ Warns Jack Posobiec

Russia has repeatedly warned that aid will only serve to prolong the conflict and any cargo entering Ukraine will be considered a legitimate military target. The United States has already spent more than $113 billion providing military and other aid to Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly warned that aid will only serve to prolong the conflict and any cargo entering Ukraine will be considered a legitimate military target. National Security adviser Jake Sullivan and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told lawmakers during a private meeting that Russia could win the conflict in Ukraine in a matter of weeks or months if Congress does not approve additional aid for the Kiev regime‚ US media reported on Friday. According to two people familiar with the meeting‚ via US media‚ the two high-ranking aides said that Ukraine will soon run out of air defense missiles and lose its artillery capabilities. One White House official described the description as “incredibly stark.” In December‚ the US announced that it had allocated the last tranche of aid to Ukraine that has been approved by Congress.Winter Sun Plus is NOW 40% off! Boost your natural defenses with this powerful vitamin D3 and K formula! “We have given now Ukraine the last security assistance package that we have funds to support right before New Year’s‚ right after Christmas. And we’ve got to get support from Congress so we can continue to do that‚” Sullivan told reporters at the time. Ukraine is facing more than a funding crisis‚ it is also facing a lack of personnel on the frontline. It was reported in Western media outlets last fall that the average age of a Ukrainian soldier had increased to 43 years. It also lifted restrictions on female soldiers‚ putting them into machine gunner‚ tank commander and other frontline roles. Even with its air defense operational‚ Russia has shown its capability to hit targets all over the country. Still‚ an influx of military aid for Ukraine could prolong the conflict longer‚ resulting in more deaths. For months‚ US President Joe Biden has demanded that Congress pass an additional $60 billion in aid‚ which would be the largest single package sent to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s special military operation. While the US Senate has at times seemed ready to pass a compromise funding bill that would include Biden’s request‚ House Republicans have steadfastly blocked it‚ demanding significant border security reforms that most Democrats would have difficulty selling to their voter base. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is insisting that a border bill include stronger border barriers and reforms to make it easier to arrest and deport asylum seekers and undocumented migrants already living in the United States. “We’re not insistent upon a particular name of a piece of legislation‚ but we are insistent that the elements have to be meaningful‚” Speaker Johnson told reporters after the White House and Senate Democrats said they planned to reject a House-passed border bill. “We understand that there’s concern about the safety‚ security‚ sovereignty of Ukraine‚ but the American people have those same concerns about our own domestic sovereignty‚ and our safety and our security‚” he added. There have also been signs of cracks behind the scenes between Ukraine and its biggest benefactor. In December‚ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky skipped a planned speech to the US Senate during which he was scheduled to make his pitch to lawmakers on why they should authorize more aid. When he finally did deliver a speech to lawmakers‚ on December 22‚ only 86 of 213 House Republicans showed for the speech and it was reported that those who did attend and were against the aid did not appear convinced. Biden pledged that the United States would support Ukraine for as long as it took. But in the end‚ the choice could be taken out of his hands. Congress has turned against it‚ at least without major concessions on the border. NATO allies have openly opposed further aid. And with dozens – if not hundreds – of videos of Ukrainian Armed Forces forcing men into vans to be shipped to the front line‚ it’s not clear how many Ukrainians are still willing to fight for the Zelensky regime. “People are being thrown out‚ thrown from the streets‚ the buses‚” former Ukrainian diplomat Andrii Telizhenko told Sputnik’s Fault Lines on Wednesday. “Ukrainians don’t want to fight. And their laws are being broken by throwing them to military camps and then throwing them to the front lines right away‚ without any tactical experience at all.” NATO Officially Mobilizes 90‚000 Troops To Prepare For War With Russia‚ Warns Jack Posobiec

Foreign ownership of US cropland is drawing attention from Washington as concern rises about possible threats to food supply chains and other national security risks. The topic of China’s ownership of US farmlands is starting to boil over. Six months after we reported that a “Bipartisan Bill Aims To Block Chinese Purchase Of US Farmland”‚ more are starting to pay attention yet as even Bloomberg notes that America “is seeing more and more of its most fertile land snapped up by China and other foreign buyers” the big problem remains: it’s difficult to know just how much farmland China has bought due to problem with how the US tracks such data. Here’s what we do know: according to Department of Agriculture data foreign ownership and investment in US farmland‚ pastures and forests jumped to about 40 million acres in 2021‚ up 40% from 2016; but an analysis conducted by the US Government Accountability Office — a non-partisan watchdog that reports to Congress — found mistakes in the data‚ including the largest land holding linked with China being counted twice. Other challenges include the USDA’s reliance on foreigners self-reporting their activity. As a result‚ foreign ownership of US cropland is drawing attention from Washington as concern rises about possible threats to food supply chains and other national security risks. And‚ as we reported last summer‚ lawmakers have called for a crackdown on sales of farmland to China and other nations. Foreign investors own 37.6 million acres of U.S. agricultural land‚ which is 2.9% of all privately held agricultural land and 1.7% of all U.S. land.(Source: USDA) “Without improving its internal processes‚ USDA cannot report reliable information to Congress or the public about where and how much US agricultural land is held by foreign persons‚” the report said.Winter Sun Plus is NOW 40% off! Boost your natural defenses with this powerful vitamin D3 and K formula! The GAO made six recommendations‚ including that the USDA share more timely and complete data with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US‚ an interagency panel led by the Treasury Department that reviews foreign business deals. And yet‚ with typical bureaucratic “speed”‚ it is certain that none of these will be implemented for years‚ in the meantime allowing Chinese state and private oligarchs to keep snapping up fertile US farmland. NATO Officially Mobilizes 90‚000 Troops To Prepare For War With Russia‚ Warns Jack Posobiec

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