gorgoneion

From Ancient Greek γοργόνειον (gorgóneion), neuter of γοργόνειος (gorgóneios, “pertaining to a Gorgon”).

gorgoneion (plural gorgoneia)

1. A (representation of a) gorgon's head, especially that of Medusa.
   • 1990, Camille Paglia, Sexual Personae:

     The gorgoneion or "bodiless head of fright" antedates by many centuries the Gorgon with a woman's body.

   • 1999, Jeffrey M. Hurwit, The Athenian Acropolis, Cambridge University Press, page 273:

     Pausanias twice mentions a gilt-bronze aigis with the head of Medousa, or gorgoneion, at its center, placed high on the south wall of the Acropolis above the Theater of Dionysos [Figs. 4, 9].

   • 2016, John H. Elliott, Beware the Evil Eye, Volume 2: Greece and Rome, Cascade Books, page 246:

     Greek drinking cups with low bowls, kylices, were used in sixth century BCE Athens with representations of the gorgoneion on the inside of the bowls and on their outsides, depictions of pairs of huge eyes—to safeguard the drinkers from the Evil Eye (see above, Illus. 6, p. 137).

   • 2017, Jonas Grethlein, Aesthetic Experiences and Classical Antiquity, Cambridge University Press, page 230:

     Even where, as on a kratēr of the Tarporley Painter, the reflection is centred and placed where we expect the gorgoneion, it appears upside-down and is thereby markedly different from the gorgoneion.

2. (historical, Ancient Greek theatre) A theatrical mask depicting the face of a gorgon.