Monsters From Greek Mythology

Medusa, at least in some accounts, was once a beautiful woman who attracted the attention of Poseidon. When the god chose to mate with her, he was in the temple of Athena. Athena was furious and got revenge by turning Medusa into a monster so horrible that a single glance at her face would turn a man to stone. Even after Perseus, with Athena's help, separated medusa from her head -- an act that allowed her unborn child, Pegasus, to emerge from her body -- the head continued to exert its power.

The head of Medusa is often described as being covered with snakes instead of hair.