Gorgoneion

English

Etymology

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

The moon was named after the pendant, because of its association with the Greek goddess Athena (and thus with her Roman equivalent, Minerva).

Proper noun

Gorgoneion

1. (Greek mythology) The head of the gorgon Medusa.
   • 2000, Extract from [1840, Lewis, Donaldson (translators)], K. O. Müller, Introduction to A Scientific Study of Mythology, Burton Feldman, Robert D. Richardson (editors), The Rise of Modern Mythology, 1680-1860, Indiana University Press, page 419,

     On returning home, he^[Perseus] turns Polydectes and his people to stone, and then gives the Gorgoneion to his protectress Athena, who fixes it upon her shield.

2. (Greek mythology) A pendant, worn by the goddess Athena, which features an image of Medusa's head.
3. (astronomy) The smaller and closer-orbiting of the two moons of the main-belt asteroid 93 Minerva.

   Synonym: S/(93) 2 Gorgoneion