Solar aspects of Gorgon Medusa in Hellenism

Abstract

In a radial and winged figure shown at the Hellenistic (2nd cent. BC) belt's buckles from Prozor in Lika (Croatia), from Ošanići in Herzegovina (BiH), and from necropolis in Gostilje (Montenegro), author identifies Gorgon Medusa and approves its solar character. The proofs for Gorgon Sun arc: a) Very expressive and alternately shown Gorgon's straight and whirled (curled) sunrays; symbolising the effects of sun light and warmth; h) Central Gorgon's ray (Gostilj) ends in spear which is a typical axial and solar symbol; c) Tree, growing from Gorgon's head. It is heraldically surrounded by animals anti thus identified ns the Tree of life. Animals surrounding the Tree (griffons) look irreal with emphasising solar (heavenly) attributes (discus and so on).
The symbolic scenes on the plaques confirm the presence of symbols of axis and symbols of centre. All the scenes being set up vertically as the axis of the world. At the top there stay Gorgon/Sun and Tree of life. The Tree is the symbol of the centre. Gorgon/Sun organically connected to the Tree is however situated in the centre of the Universe. Gorgon/Sun and Tree of life symbolise the effects of Heaven to the "lower" spheres: that of the ground, of the water and probably of the underground world. Gorgon Medusa from the Appulian Hellenistic askos from Lavella (Basilicata), has the heavenly (solar) character, too. Surrounded by the wheel, stars and birds she observes the funeral ritual scenes. Gorgon/Sun on the Illyrian area's plaques, as well as (he solarized Gorgon from Lavella, arc the contribution to Hellenistic process of solarization of Gorgon at the peripheral Greek world. Illyrian and Daunian example of the solarized Gorgon open the problem of believing into heavenly after grave spheres in Illyrian and Daunian Hellenistic circle.