According to Greek mythology, Medusa was a snake-haired girl who was able to turn to stone anyone who gazed at her. Her hair was turned into snakes by Athena with whom Medusa had decided to compete in beauty. She was killed by Perseus, son of Zeus and Dana?, according to the order of the king Polydectes. He was not turned to stone because he did not gaze directly into Medusa's eyes, but saw her reflection from the mirrored shield he had received from Athena.
However her head did not lose its magical properties after her death and Perseus used it to defeat Polydectes who had wanted to marry his mother. The manufacturers of Playtech used this legend in developing an arcade game Medusa's Gaze.