PEGASUS (Pegasos) - Winged Horse of Greek Mythology Of the Spring (pêgê) Pegasus at the spring, Apulian red-figure vase C4th B.C., Tampa Museum of Art PEGASOS (Pegasus) was an immortal, winged horse which sprang from the neck of the beheaded Gorgon Medousa (Medusa). It was tamed by Bellerophon who rode it into battle against the fire-breathing monster known as the Khimaira (Chimera) . Later the hero attempted to fly to heaven but Zeus caused the horse to buck throwing him back down to earth in disgrace. Pegasos winged his way on to Olympos where he became the thunderbolt-bearer of Zeus. Pegasos was commemorated amongst the stars as the constellation of the same name. Its rising marks the arrival of spring and, in Greece, of seasonal thunderstorms. Pegasos' name means either "of the spring" from the Greek word pêgê, or "sprung forth" from the word pêgazô.

The first alludes to the steed's connection with various springs, and the latter to its birth from the Gorgon's neck. FAMILY OF PEGASUS PARENTS [1.1] POSEIDON & MEDOUSA (Hesiod Theogony 278, Apollodorus 2.32 & 2.42, Hyginus Fabulae 151 & Astronomica 2.18, Ovid Metamorphoses 4.781 & 6.119) [1.2] MEDOUSA (Pindar Olympian Ode, Nonnus Dionysiaca 24.270) ENCYCLOPEDIA PE′GASUS (Pêgasos). The famous winged horse, whose origin is thus related. When Perseus struck off the head of Medusa, with whom Poseidon had had intercourse in the form of a horse or a bird, there sprang forth from her Chrysaor and the horse Pegasus. The latter obtained the name Pegasus because he was believed to have made his appearance near the sources (pêgai) of Oceanus.

Pegasus rose up to the seats of the immortals, and afterwards lived in the palace of Zeus, for whom he carried thunder and lightning (IIes. Theog. 281, &c.; Apollod. ii. 3. § 2, 4. § 2 ; Schol. ad Aristoph. Pac. 722; comp. Ov. Met. iv. 781, &c. vi. 119). According to this view, which is apparently the most ancient, Pegasus was the thundering horse of Zeus; but later writers describe him as the horse of Eos (Schol. ad Hom. Il. vi. 155; Tzetz. ad Lyc. 17), and place him among the stars as the heavenly horse (Arat. Phaen. 205, &c.; Hygin. Poet. Astr. ii. 18 Ov. Fast. iii. 457, &c.). Pegasus also acts a prominent part in the fight of Bellerophon against the Chimaera (Hes. Theog. 325; Apollod. ii. 3. § 2).

After Bellerophon had tried and suffered much to obtain possession of Pegasus for his fight against the Chimaera, he consuited the soothsayer Polyidus at Corinth. The latter advised him to spend a night in the temple of Athena, and, as Bellerophon was sleeping, the goddess appeared to him in a dream, commanding him to sacrifice to Poseidon, and gave him a golden bridle. When he awoke he found the bridle, offered the sacrifice, and caught Pegasus, who was drinking at the well Peirene (Pind. Ol. xiii. 90, &c. with the Schol.; Strab. viii. p. 379). According to some Athena herself tamed and bridled Pegasus, and surrendered him to Bellerophon (Paus. ii. 4. § 1), or Bellerophon received Pegasus from his own father Poseidon (Schol. ad Hom. Il. vi. 155). After he had conquered the Chimaera (Pindar says that he also conquered the Amazons and the Solymi, Ol. xiii.

125), he endeavoured to rise up to heaven with his winged horse, but fell down upon the earth, either from fear or from giddiness, or being thrown off by Pegasus, who was rendered furious by a gad-fly which Zeus had sent. But Pegasus continued his flight (Hygin. Poet. Astr. ii. 18 ; Pind. Isthm. vii. 6; Tzetz. ad Lyc. 17; Eustath. ad Hom. p. 636). Whether Hesiod considered Pegasus as a winged horse, cannot be inferred with certainty from the word apoptamenose; but Pindar, Euripides, and the other later writers, expressly mention his wings. Pegasus lastly was also regarded as the horse of the Muses, and in this capacity he is more celebrated in modern times than he ever was in antiquity ; for with the ancients he had no connection with the Muses, except that by his hoof he called forth the inspiring well Hippocrene. The story about this well runs as follows.

When the nine Muses engaged in a contest with the nine daughters of Pierus on Mount Helicon, all became darkness when the daughters of Pierus began to sing ; whereas during the song of the Muses, heaven, the sea, and all the rivers stood still to listen, and Helicon rose heavenward with delight, until Pegasus, on the advice of Poseidon, stopped its rising by kicking it with his hoof (Anton. Lib. 9); and from this kick there arose Hippocrene, the inspiring well of the Muses, on Mount Helicon, which, for this reason, Persius (Prol. 1) calls fons caballinus (Ov. Met. v. 256). Others again relate that Pegasus caused the well to gush forth because he was thirsty; and in other parts of Greece also similar wells were believed to have been called forth by Pegasus, such as Hippocrene, at Troezene, and Peirene, near Corinth (Paus. ii. 31. § 12; Stat. Theb iv. 60). Pegasus is often seen represented in ancient works of art and on coins along with Athena and Bellerophon.

Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES THE BIRTH OF PEGASUS Birth of Pegasus and Chrysaor, beheaded Medusa, Perseus and the Gorgons, Athenian black-figure pyxis C6th B.C., Musée du Louvre Hesiod, Theogony 280 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) : "But when Perseus had cut off the head of Medousa (Medusa) there sprang from her blood stout-hearted Khrysaor (Chrysaor) and the horse Pegasos so named from the springs (pegai) of Okeanos (Oceanus), where he was born." Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 42 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "When he [Perseus] saw Medousa (Medusa), he beheaded her.

As soon as her head was severed there leaped from her body the winged horse Pegasos and Khrysaor (Chrysaor), the father of Geryon. The father of these two was Poseidon." Lycophron, Alexandra 840 ff (trans. Mair) (Greek poet C3rd B.C.) : "The harvester [Perseus] who delivered of her [Medousa's (Medusa's)] pains in birth of horse [Pegasos] and man [Khrysaor (Chrysaor)] the stony-eyed weasel whose children sprang from her neck.” Strabo, Geography 8. 6. 20 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "Pegasos, a winged horse which sprang from the neck of the Gorgon Medousa (Medusa) when her head was cut off." Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 151 (trans.

Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "From Medusa, daughter of Gorgon, and Neptunus [Poseidon], were born Chrysaor and horse Pegasus." Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. 786 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "While deep sleep held fast Medusa and her snakes, he [Perseus] severed her head clean from her neck; and from their mother's blood swift-flying Pegasus and his brother [Khrysaor (Chrysaor)] sprang . . . she [Medusa], it's said, was violated in Minerva's [Athena's] shrine by the Lord of the Sea (Rector Pelagi) [Poseidon]." Ovid, Metamorphoses 6. 119 ff : "[Poseidon] as a bird [mated with] the snake-haired mother [Medousa (Medusa)] of the flying steed [Pegasos]." Ovid, Fasti 3. 449 ff (trans.Boyle) (Roman poetry C1st B.C.

to C1st A.D.) : "Men believe it [Pegasos] sprang with its blood-spattered mane from the butchered Medusa's pregnant neck. As it glided above the clouds and beneath the stars, the sky was its earth and wings were its feet." Nonnus, Dionysiaca 31. 13 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : "As Medousa (Medusa) was slain [by Perseus], the neck was delivered of its twin birth, the Horse [Pegasos] and the Boy with the golden sword [Khrysaor (Chrysaor)]." Nonnus, Dionysiaca 24.

270 ff : "[Perseus] shore off the snaky swathe of one Medousa, while her womb was still burdened and swollen with young, still in foal of Pegasos; what good if the sickle played the part of childbirth Eileithyia, and reaped the neck of the pregnant Gorgon, firstfruits of a horsebreeding neck?" PEGASUS & THE SPRING OF HIPPOCRENE Hippokrene (Hippocrene) was the sacred spring of the Mousai (Muses) on Mount Helikon (Helicon) in Boiotia. It was said to have burst forth from the ground where struck by the hoof of the winged horse Pegasos. Aratus, Phaenomena 206 ff (trans. Mair) (Greek astronomical poem C3rd B.C.) : "The huge [constellation] Horse (Hippos) . . . He [Pegasos] it was, men say, that brought down from lofty Helikon (Helicon) the bright water of bounteous Hippokrene (Hippocrene).

For not yet on Helikon's summit trickled the fountain's springs, but the Horse smote it and straightway the gushing water was shed abroad at the stamp of his forefoot, and herdsmen were the first to call that stream the fountain of the Horse. From the rock the water wells and never shalt thou see it far from the men of Thespiai (Thespiae); but the Horse himself circles in the heaven of Zeus and is there for thee to behold." Strabo, Geography 8. 6. 20 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "The same horse [Pegasos], it is said, caused Hippu-krene (Horse Fountain) to spring up on Helikon (Helicon) when he struck with his hoof the rock that lay below that mountain." Pausanias, Description of Greece 9. 31. 3 (trans.

Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : "Ascending about twenty stades from this grove [of the Mousai (Muses) on Mount Helikon in Boiotia] is what is called the Hippokrene (Hippocrene, Horse's Fountain). It was made, they say, by [Pegasos] the horse of Bellerophon striking the ground with this hoof." Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 31. 9 : "Among the means of cleansing [by ritual purification] which they say they [the people of Troizenos (Troezen), Argolis] used to cleanse Orestes was water from Hippokrene (Horse's Fountain}; for the Troizenians too have a fountain called the Horse's, and the legend about it does not differ from the one which prevails in Boiotia (Boeotia).

For they, too, say that the earth sent up the water when the horse Pegasos struck the ground with his hoof, and that Bellerophontes came to Troizenos to ask Pittheus to give him Aithra (Aethra) to wife." Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses 9 (trans. Celoria) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "When the Mousai (Muses) sang, heaven, the stars, the sea and rivers stood still, while Mount Helikon (Helicon), beguiled by the pleasure of it all, swelled skyward till, by the will of Poseidon, Pegasos checked it by striking the summit with his hoof." Callistratus, Descriptions 7 (trans. Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C4th A.D.) : "On Helikon (Helicon)--the spot is a shaded precinct sacred to the Mousai (Muses)--near the torrent of the river Olmeios and the violet-dark spring of Pegasos, there stood the [statues of the] Mousai." Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 18 (trans.

Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "Pegasus, offspring of Neptunus [Poseidon] and the Gorgon Medusa, who on Helicon, a mountain of Boeotia, opened up a spring by striking the rock with his hoof. From him the spring is called Hippocrene." Ovid, Fasti 3. 449 ff (trans.Boyle) (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "It [Pegasos] had only just protested its strange bridling [by Bellerophon], when its light hoof dug Aonia's spring [i.e. the Hippokrene (HIppocrene)]." Ovid, Metamorphoses 5. 254 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "Helicon, the Musae's (Muses') mountain home.

Alighting there she [Athena] stopped and thus addressed the learned sisters : ‘there has reached my ears a tale of a new fountain that burst forth beneath the hooves of flying Medusaeus [Pegasos, child of Medousa (Medusa)]. That is my journey's purpose, my desire to see the miracle. I saw that horse brought into being from his mother's blood.’ Uranie replied : ‘Whatever cause may bring you to our home, you find our hearts most welcoming. The tale indeed is true; the author of the spring is Pegasus.’ She led Pallas [Athena] to the sacred spring. The waters issuing from his hoof's hard stroke long held her wondering eyes; then she gazed round at the green bowers of the ancient woods, the caves and grottoes and the spangled lawns with all their countless flowers." Propertius, Elegies 3. 3 (trans.

Goold) (Roman elegy C1st B.C.) : "I dreamed that lying in the soft shade of Helicon, where flows the fountain of Bellerophon's horse [Pegasos], I possessed the power to proclaim my lyre's accompaniment Alba's kings and their deeds." Nonnus, Dionysiaca 44. 6 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : "A fountain [Hippokrene (Hippocrene)] bubbled on the spot where the horse's [Pegasos'] wet hoof scratched the surface of the ground and made a hollow for the water which took its name from him." PEGASUS, BELLEROPHON & THE CHIMERA Bellerophon, Pegasus and the Chimera, Laconian black-figure kylix C6th B.C., The J. Paul Getty Museum Hesiod, Theogony 325 ff (trans.

Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) : "But Khimaira (Chimera) was killed by Pegasos and gallant Bellerophon." Hesiod, Catalogues of Women Fragment 7 (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) : "And when he [Bellerophon] began to roam, his father [Poseidon] gave him Pegasos who would bear him most swiftly on his wings, and flew unwearying everywhere over the earth, for like the gales he would course along. With him Bellerophon caught and slew the fire-breathing Khimaira (Chimera)." Pindar, Olympian Ode 13. 63 ff (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) : "[Bellerophon] once strove in vain beside Peirene's spring, and suffered much, seeking to yoke the snake-haired Gorgo's offspring, Pegasos. Till Pallas [Athena], goddess maid, brought him the bridle and golden headband, and behold a dream was truth.

‘Sleep not, Aiolid king,’ said she, ‘but take this charm of steeds, and offer the Horse-Tamer [Poseidon], your sire, a snow-white bull, and show to him this bridle.’ Such words, as he lay slumbering in the dark, it seemed the maiden of the shadowy aegis spoke unto him, and he leapt to his feet and seized the magic bit, that lay beside him on the ground; and went with joy to find the prophet of his country's people the son of Korianos (Corianus). And he made known to him the whole issue of this strange matter--how that he had lain the whole night through upon the goddess' altar, as the seer had foretold him, and how the child of Zeus whose sword is lightning, in her own hands brought him the golden charm that tames the savage spirit. And the prophet bade him obey at once the magic vision, and to Poseidon, the earth-holder, to sacrifice the strong-limbed bull. Then too that he should build an altar with all speed to Athene, queen of steeds.

Yet the gods' power can lightly bring to pass such things as will deny both the sworn word and all the hopes of men. Thus with all zeal mighty Bellerophon seized the winged steed, setting between his jaws the soothing charm, and mounting him, in his bronze panoply played him in sport, to try his pace. And once, with him, he smote the Amazones (Amazons), from the chill bosom of the lonely air, that archered host of women-kind; and felled Khimaira (Chimera) breathing fire, and slew the Solymoi (Solymi). His fate--'twere best unspoken. But Pegasos dwells in the ancient stalls of Zeus upon Olympos." Pindar, Isthmian Ode 7. 44 ff : "Pegasos winged high threw down to earth his lord Bellerophon, who thought to reach the abodes of heaven, and share the company of Zeus. Sweets gained unrightly await an end most bitter." Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 32 (trans.

Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "Bellerophon mounted Pegasos, his winged horse born of Medousa (Medusa) and Poseidon, and flying into the air brought down the Khimaira (Chimera) with his bow and arrows." Strabo, Geography 8. 6. 20 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "Peirene [a spring of the city of Korinthos (Corinth)] was wont to rise over the surface and flow down the sides of the mountain. And here, they say, Pegasos, a winged horse which sprang from the neck of the Gorgon Medousa (Medusa) when her head was cut off, was caught while drinking by Bellerophon. And the same horse, it is said, caused Hippu-krene (Horse Fountain) to spring up on Helikon when he struck with his hoof the rock that lay below that mountain." Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 1. 9 (trans.

Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : "[In the temple of Poseidon on the Isthmos of Korinthos (Corinth) :] Among the reliefs on the base of the statue of Poseidon are the sons of Tyndareus, because these too are saviours of ships and of sea-faring men. The other offerings are images of Calm and of Sea, a horse like a whale from the breast onward, Ino and Bellerophontes, and the horse Pegasos." Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 3. 5 : "The Korinthians (Corinthians) have baths in many parts of the city . . . The most famous of them is near the Poseidon. It was made by the Spartan Eurykles (Eurycles), who beautified it with various kinds of stone, especially the one quarried at Krokeai (Croceae) in Lakonia. On the left of the entrance stands a Poseidon, and after him Artemis hunting. Throughout the city are many wells, for the Korinthians have a copious supply of flowing water . . .

but the most noteworthy is the one by the side of the image of Artemis. Over it is a Bellerophontes, and the water flows through the hoof of the horse Pegasos." Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 4. 1 : "Athena, they say. Was the divinity who gave most help to Bellerophontes, and she delivered to him Pegasos, having herself broken in and bridled him." Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 31. 9 : "They [the people of Troizenos (Troezen) in Argolis], too, say that the earth sent up the water when the horse Pegasos struck the ground with his hoof, and that Bellerophontes came to Troizen to ask Pittheus to give him Aithra (Aethra) to wife." Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 57 (trans.

Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "Iobates [king of Lykia (Lycia)] was reluctant to kill the hero [Bellerophon], but sent him to kill the Chimaera, a three-formed creature said to breathe forth fire. Likewise : forepart lion, rearpart snake, middle she-goat. This he slew, riding on Pegasus, and he is said to have fallen in the Aleian plains and to have dislocated his hip." Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 18 : "[Proitos (Proetus)] knowing that he [Bellerophon] had the horse Pegasus, sent him to the father of Antia--some call her Sthenoboea--, for him to defend his daughter's chastity and send the youth against the Chimera, which at that time was laying waste with flames the country of the Lycians. Bellerophon was victor, and escaped, but after the creation of the spring, as he was attempting to fly to heaven, and had almost reached it, he became terrified looking down at the earth, and fell off and was killed.

But the horse is said to have flown up and to have been put among the constellations by Jove [Zeus]." Ovid, Fasti 3. 449 ff (trans.Boyle) (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "[Pegasus] had only just protested its strange bridling [by Bellerophon], when its light hoof dug Aonia's spring [the Hippokrene (Hippocrene)]." Apuleius, The Golden Ass 8. 16 ff (trans. Walsh) (Roman novel C2nd A.D.) : "I reflected that it was panic more than anything which had induced the celebrated Pegasus to take to the air, and that the tradition that he had wings was justified because he leapt upward as high as heaven in his fear of being bitten by the fire-breathing Chimaera." Oppian, Cynegetica 1. 225 ff (trans. Mair) (Greek poet C3rd A.D.) : "To Horses beyond all mortal creatures cunning Nature has given a subtle mind and heart . . .

A horse [Pegasos] carried above the clouds him [Bellerophon] that slew the Khimaira (Chimera)." Nonnus, Dionysiaca 11. 142 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : "Quickwing Pegasos threw Bellerophontes and sent him headlong down from the sky, although he was of the seed of Earthshaker [Poseidon] and the horse himself shared the kindred blood of Poseidon." Nonnus, Dionysiaca 28. 167 ff : "Pegasos flying high in the air as swift in his course as the wandering wind, threw Bellerophontes." THE CONSTELLATOIN PEGASUS Pegasus, Athenian red-figure kylix C6th B.C., Museum of Fine Arts Boston Hesiod, Theogony 280 ff (trans.

Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) : "Pegasos, soaring, left the earth, the mother of sheep flocks, and came to the immortals, and there he lives in the household of Zeus, and carries the thunder and lightning for Zeus of the counsels." Pindar, Olympian Ode 13. 92 ff (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) : "Pegasos dwells in the ancient stalls of Zeus upon Olympos." Plato, Phaedrus 246 (trans. Lamb) (Greek philosopher C4th B.C.) : "A pair of winged horses and a charioteer. Now the winged horses and the charioteers of the gods are all of them noble and of noble descent . . . Zeus, the mighty lord, holding the reins of a winged chariot, leads the way in heaven, ordering all and taking care of all; and there follows him the array of gods and demigods, marshalled in eleven bands [the twelve Olympians]." Aratus, Phaenomena 206 ff (trans.

Mair) (Greek astronomical poem C3rd B.C.) : "The huge [constellation] Horse (Hippos) [is Pegasos] . . . the Horse himself circles in the heaven of Zeus and is there for thee to behold." Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 18 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "Constellation Horse. This sign Aratus and many others have called Pegasus, offspring of Neptunus [Poseidon] and the Gorgon Medusa . . . As he [Bellerophon] was attempting to fly to heaven, and had almost reached it, he became terrified looking down at the earth, and fell off and was killed. But the horse [Pegasos] is said to have flown up and to have been put among the constellations by Jove [Zeus]." Ovid, Fasti 3. 449 ff (trans.Boyle) (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "Now when stars spangle the deep blue heavens, look up: you'll see the neck of the Gorgonian horse [the constellation Pegasos].

Men believe it sprang with its blood-spattered mane from the butchered Medusa's pregnant neck. As it glided above the clouds and beneath the stars, the sky was its earth and wings were its feet. It had only just protested its strange bridling [by Bellerophon], when its light hoof dug Aonia's spring [the Hippokrene (Hippocrene)]. Now it enjoys the sky, which it wings sought before, and gleams resplendent with five stars and ten." Nonnus, Dionysiaca 37. 265 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : "Pegasos flying on high quickly cut the air on his long wings." THE PEGASI HORSES Pegasoi or winged horses (hippoi pteretoi) were often depicted in ancient art drawing the chariots of the gods, especially those of the sun-god Helios and moon-goddes Selene. In myth the hero Pelops was given a chariot drawn by winged horses by the god Poseidon.

A species of winged horse is also described in Greek legend--animals believed to be indigenous to the mysterious land of Aithiopia (Ethiopia)--see Pegasoi Aithiopikoi . Plato, Critias (trans. Lamb) (Greek philosopher C4th B.C.) : "[In the temple of Poseidon on the mythical island of Atlantis :] Here was the [statue of the] god himself standing in a chariot--the charioteer of six winged horses [Pegasoi]." Pausanias, Description of Greece 5. 17. 7 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : "[Amongst the scenes depicted on the chest of Kypselos (Cypselus) dedicated at Olympia :] Oinomaos (Oenomaus) is chasing Pelops, who is holding Hippodameia. Each of them has two horses, but those of Pelops have wings." Pausanias, Description of Greece 5. 19. 8 : "[Amongst the scenes depicted on the chest of Kypselos dedicated at Olympia :] Next come two-horse chariots with women standing in them.

The horses have golden wings, and a man is giving armour to one of the women. I conjecture that this scene refers to the death of Patroklos (Patroclus); the women in the chariots, I take it, are Nereides, and Thetis is receiving the armour from Hephaistos (Hephaestus)." ANCIENT GREEK & ROMAN ART Pegasus History - Flying Horse in Greek Mythology By N.S. Gill's Ancient/Classical History Glossary Definition: Pegasus is the famous flying, winged horse of Greek mythology. Born from the bleeding body of his mother Medusa when Perseus chopped off her head, Pegasus sprang forth with his twin brother, a warrior named Chrysaor, on his back. Pegasus and Chrysaor's father was the sea and horse god Poseidon. Pegasus is associated with the Muses. With a kick of his hoof, Pegasus created a spring on Mt. Helicon that is called Hippocrene and offers inspiration. Pegasus is also sometimes considered one of the constellations. The Greek hero Bellerophon tamed and rode Pegasus using Athena's magical golden bridle.

After Bellerophon foolishly tried to use Pegasus to reach Mt. Olympus, the immortal rider-free horse Pegasus went to Mount Olympus bringing thunder and lightning to Zeus. Sources on Pegasus : Apollodorus.2.3.2; Aratus of Soli, Phaenomena.218; Hyginus, Poetica Astronomica.2.18; Nonnus, Dionysiaca.25.40, 31.20; Ovid Fasti.3.450; Pindar, Olympian Odes.13.64. continue reading below our video 4 Tips for Improving Test Performance More sources: "The Son of Neptune," by Arthur Stanley Pease. Harvard Studies in Classical Philology, Vol. 54, (1943), p. 82. Common Misspellings: Pegasis Pegasus Pegasus by Micha F. Lindemans In Greek mythology, Pegasus is the winged horse that was fathered by Poseidon with Medusa . When her head was cut of by the Greek hero Perseus , the horse sprang forth from her pregnant body.

His galloping created the well Hippocrene on the Helicon (a mountain in Boeotia). When the horse was drinking from the well Pirene on the Acrocotinth, Bellerophon 's fortress, the Corinthian hero was able to capture the horse by using a golden bridle, a gift from Athena . The gods then gave him Pegasus for killing the monster Chimera but when he attempted to mount the horse it threw him off and rose to the heavens, where it became a constellation (north of the ecliptic). In another version, Bellerophon killed the Chimera while riding on Pegasus, and when he later attempted to ride to the summit of Mount Olympus, Zeus sent a gadfly to sting the horse, and it threw Bellerophon off its back. Article details: Pegasus Pegasus See More Pegasus Pictures > Pegasus was a flying horse in Greek mythology, usually depicted as white coloured. His father was Poseidon and his mother was the Gorgon Medusa ; he was born along with his brother Chrysaor when Medusa was decapitated by Perseus .

Pegasus was captured and tamed by the Greek hero Bellerophon and helped him in his fights against the Chimera and the Amazons . Later, Bellerophon continued riding Pegasus on their way to Mount Olympus , but Zeus dismounted him on the way; Pegasus continued on the journey and reached Olympus. Famous Named Horses and Horse Types From Mythology By Katherine Blocksdorf Updated April 03, 2016. When I was much younger I used to love to spend hot summer days reading my book of Greek mythology. Horses belonging to heros, magical horses and part-horse, part other-creatures were favorite amongst the stories. Horses have always captivated our imaginations and have become woven into many legends and myths. Here are just seven of the many horses and horse-like creatures that can be found in the mythologies of almost every civilization. Image:eschu1952/ 1. Pegasus One of the most well known mythological horses is Pegasus . Winged horses have been used to symbolize freedom , power and victory in many different cultures. Pegasus is an immortal winged horse of Greek mythology.

Pegasus is said to have sprung from the head or body, depending on what version of the myth you read, of Medusa , a mythical Gorgon sister with hair of snakes and a stare that could turn a man to stone. Medusa's head was lopped off by Perseus , a greek hero who was challenged by a rival suitor to bring back Medusa's head, a ploy intended to keep him out of the way while his rival won his lady. Thanks to some tools and trickery supplied by a sympathetic God and Goddess, Perseus was successful in his quest. Along with Pegasus was 'born' a warrior, Chrysaor who arrived riding Pegasus and carrying a golden sword and is regarded as his brother. We don't seem to know much abour Chrysoar, and the relationship between the brothers. Perseus himself was the first to ride Pegasus in a heroic quest. Bellerophon, a rather vain young man also desired to ride Pegasus but did not know how to capture him. He was told to sleep in a temple to gain guidance, and dreamed he was presented with a golden bridle. When he awoke the bridle was beside him.

He used the bridle to capture Pegasus while the winged horse drank at a fountain. Then Bellerophon is said to have ridden Pegasus into a battle against a fire-breathing Chimera. Then, unwisely, Bellerophon tried to ride Pegasus to the top of Mount Olympus , the home of the gods. But this displeased Zeus with whom Bellerophon had fallen out of favor, and he sent an insect to to sting Pegasus and make him buck. Bellerphon fell to the earth. Pegasus continued his flight to the top of Mount Olympus where the gods welcomed him and gave him the job of carrying thunderbolts. Today, Pegasus can still be seen as a constellation in his place of honor in the spring sky. If you are lucky enough to find a Pegasus of your own, I would suggest paying close attention to saddle fit as the wings make if difficult to put a modern English or western style saddle on it. Riding bareback may be your best bet. Because your winged horse will carry you much higher in the sky than a regular horse be sure to wear both an ASTM approved helmet and a parachute . Unicorn on hilltop.

Image Credit:Lucy von HeldééDe Agostini RM /Getty Images 2. Unicorn Another well known mythical horse-like creature is the unicorn . The unicorn is most often described as a beautiful mythical horse with a single horn in its forehead. They are sometimes depicted as having cloven hooves like a goat or deer. The can come in almost every color, although are most often depicted as being white. The tail or mane hairs, blood, hooves or horns of unicorns are often used in magical or medicinal potions and Harry Potter's wand had a core made of a strand of unicorn tail hair. They are sometimes attributed with having healing or purifying powers. Unicorns are often seen on Medieval style tapestries and are often seen as a heraldic symbol on coats of arms. Unicorns are said to only appear to, or may be captured by women of pure virtue. Over the centuries, many ancient societies were convinced of the unicorn's existence. They are mentioned in many very ancient texts including the bible. Because of this, there is speculation that unicorns did exist. Some people think they were actually single-horned goats, as there are some skeletal remains that could support this.

A cross between a unicorn and a Pegasus is called a pegacorn or a unipeg. Should you be lucky enough to catch and tame a Pegasus be aware that while grooming , extra care should be taken to polish its horn. Talk to your farrier about the best way to protect its cloven hooves—either with custom shoes or perhaps hoof boots . While cattle often chew away a regular horse's tail , you may find you have to curtail wizards who will want to steal tail hairs for their wands and potions. Hippogriff (12th century), Ferrara Cathedral, Ferrara (Unesco World Heritage List, 1995), Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Image Credit:De Agostini RM /Getty Images 3. Hippogriff Another magical horse-like creature that we, or at least the fans of Harry Potter will be familiar with is the Hippogriff . The Hippogriff predates the Harry Potter books by a few centuries. It is said to have the head, talons and wings of an eagle with the body of the horse. Legend has it that a wizard bred a mare to an eagle and the result was the Hippogriff.

They were used as beasts of burden, much like horses were. The Hippogrif appears in several video games and you can download the Hippogriff Cookbook , which offers many recipes for cooking the mythical beast, (including instructions for more common substitutes such as beef or chicken). Like the Pegasus you may find the Hipogriff needs special saddle fitting considerations . Judging from the Hippogriff's temperament in the Harry Potter movies, I would suggest keeping that there is a Hippogiff cookbook a secret. Obviously, there is a need for more natural Hippogriffmanship. Image showing both of Andy Scott's Kelpies around sunset in November 2013. Image Credit:Moment /Kit Downey Photography /Getty Images 4. Kelpies If you watched the movie 'The Water Horse' you'll already know that a kelpie is a mythical horse-like creature that lives in rivers and lakes. From Celtic legend is often described as sturdy pony, white or black in color. They are tricksters, luring unsuspecting people into the water where it eats them. Similar horse-like creatures appear in many different mythologies around the world. Kelpies also appeared as menacing shape-shifters in the Harry Potter stories.

If you should happen to own a Kelpie, the first thing you should do is establish ground manners . While riding one on trail is fine, take great caution when near water. In fact, it might be advisable to dismount to avoid having the Kelpie pull you under. View of a 32-cent postage stamp, issued in 1995 in the United States, that features an illustration of the fictional folkloric character of Pecos Bill, 1995. Image Credit: Blank Archives /Getty Images 5. Widow Maker Widow Maker's real name was Lightening. Peco Bill is an American legend, an amalgam of many tall tales that had their beginnings around campfires of the old west. He was so named because he could be ridden by no one else but Peco's Bill himself. He so disliked Peco Bill's bride that he bucked her off, resulting in the end of the couple's relationship. This emphasises the need to learn to fall off as safely as possible and of course the need to always wear a helmet because the bucking resulted in the rider hitting her head on the moon. Widow Maker's favorite food was said to be dynamite.

Needless to say dynamite should be on the list of what not to feed a horse . Alexander Great taming Bucephalus, 1516-1517, fresco by Giovanni Antonio Bazzi known as Il Sodoma (1477-1549), Agostino Chigi's wedding chamber, Villa Farnesina, Rome, Italy, 16th century. Image Credit: Credit: DEA / A. DE GREGORIO/Getty Images 6. Bucephalus The name Bucephalus means 'head of a bull (or ox)'. It's not clear whether a marking such as a star or blaze on the horse's face looked like a bull, or if the horse had a very large wide head or was bullish in attitude. Bucephalus was tamed by a twelve year old , who showed an impressive display of natural horsemanship. The youngster, who would later be known as Alexander the Great, rode the horse in many battles and when the horse died, he named a city after it.

Viking stele from Tjängvide, Alskog, Gotland, Sweden, showing Sleipnir, Odin's horse, the offspring of his brother Loki. From the Museum of National Antiquities in Stockholm. Image Credit:CM Dixon/Print Collector/ /Getty Images 7. Sleipnir If you think that keeping four hooves healthy can be difficult be glad you don't own Sleipnir. Sleipnir has eight hooves. The mount of the Norse god Odin, Sleipnir was a heroic horse who was swift, sure footed and could jump anything. Odin and Sleipner may have been the precursors to the modern tale of Santa Claus and his flying reindeer. Pegasus | MythOrTruth.Com - Mythical Creatures, Beasts and Facts associated with them. Pegasus 0 comments Pegasus is the beautiful flying horse of mythology. Pegasus was a white horse with wings, sometimes depicted as a unicorn, a single, spiraling horn that protruded from the forehead of Pegasus; on the other hand, most depictions of Pegasus did not show the horse as a unicorn.

Pegasus The Origins of Pegasus As mentioned, Pegasus wan a creature of mythology, meaning that Pegasus never existed; it was a creature of Greek stories. Pegasus has shown up in Greek mythology for well over two thousand years. The History of Pegasus According t mythology Pegasus was a son of Poseidon, the earth god, and Medusa, whom at the time was a beautiful maiden. Greek mythology states that Poseidon loved Medusa and took her to the temple of Athena were he seduced her. Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom. This infuriated Athena and she decided to take her anger out on the beautiful young Medusa. The revenge that Athena put upon Medusa was to turn her into a Gorgon; Gorgons were disgusting immortal women which had snakes for hair. Any human that was to look upon a Gorgonturned into a statue of stone. Medusa Although Gorgons were immortal, Medusa was not immortal because she was not born a Gorgon. If not for the fact that Medusa could be killed, Pegasus would not have ever been born.

The Birth of Pegasus The birth of Pegasus came about because of the death of Medusa; let us look at the historical details about the birth of Pegasus. This part of the story begins with a king and his love for a young woman, the King was Polydetes, and the woman was Danae. Danae had a son whose name was Perseus. Although King Polydetes was in love with Danae and wanted to marry her, the feelings were not mutual. Danae refused to marry the king, and Perseus tried to protect his mother from the king, unfortunately, he had little success. In order to get Perseus out of the picture the king sent Perseus on a quest. The king made a bargain with Perseus, if he would bring him the head of a Gorgon he would allow Danae to marry whom she wished. Of course the king thought that Perseus would never return because he assumed that a Gorgon could not be killed. Poseidon Of course, Perseus agreed to the conditions of the deal without any hesitation. The first step that Perseus took was to seek the advice of Athena.

Athena was very helpful to Perseus, and equipped him with everything that he needed to successfully complete his mission. Athena told Perseus that there was a Gorgon that could be killed, which was Medusa. Secondly, Athena gave Perseus magical shoes, and a shield that was polished to a high sheen making the shield as reflective as a mirror. Perseus had the shoes take him to the lands of the Gorgons were he could find Medusa. He then found Medusa and attacked her using the shield. He watched the reflection of Medusa in the mirror, this kept him from looking directly at the Gorgon, and thus he did not become turned to stone. He then used his sword to cut off Medusa’s head. From this point, the myth has several separate storiesabout the exact birth of Pegasus. In one story, Pegasus was born, fully grown from the blood that spilled from the neck of Medusa. Another story states that Pegasus was not formed until the blood of Medusa mixed with seafoam. Perseus Another version of the story states Pegasus was born when the blood of Medusa combined with the dirt at her feet.

Most historians and experts on Greek mythology believe that last method was the truest method of how Pegasus was born. They believe in this story because that Poseidon, along with being the god of the sea, was also the earth god. Another point is that since Poseidon’s love for Medusa began the story, it only made sense that he had something to do with the creation of Pegasus. What Happened Once Pegasus was Born? After Pegasus was born, he flew to the top of Mt. Helicon where he landed. Greek mythology then states that the slightest touch of the creature’s hooves made springs; one of the springs is the famous Hippocrene, or horse, spring. Greek mythology also puts another resident on mount Helicon, mount Helicon was also known as the home of the muses. Pegasus’s connection with mount Helicon is what has made Pegasus such an interesting subject for many authors down through the ages. The Weakness of Pegasus Although Pegasus was a mighty creature that was as strong as he was beautiful, his weakness was that with the right knowledge someone could capture and ride Pegasus. For instance, Pegasus was captured and ridden by Bellerophon, a grandson of Sisyphus.

Bellerophon was an amazing warrior best known for slaying the Chimaera. Pegasus and Bellerophon Bellerophon rode Pegasus during his mission to kill the Chimaera. Proteus, the son of king Lobates, was the one that sent Bellerophon on the mission to kill the Chimaera. As with many stories in Greek Mythology, love of a woman was a central theme of this mission as well. Proteus thought that Bellerophon was in love with his wife, so to get rid of Bellerophon, Proteus sent him to kill the Chimaera. Bellerophon accepted the quest and his first step was to go seek advice from the wisest man he knew, Polyeidos. Polyeidos told Bellerophon to sleep within the walls of Athena’s temple. While he was sleeping Athena came to Bellerophon, and she told him to catch the winged horse. She said Pegasus could found at the spring of Pierian. Athena left Bellerophon a magic bridle that would allow Bellerophon to ride Pegasus. Athena Bellerophon needed his companion complete his mission, without Pegasus, the mission would have been impossible.

Once Proteus saw how easily the pair completed the mission, he sent the two on many other missions. He did this for two reasons; the main reason was that his wife was falling further in love with Bellerophon. In the process, he cleared the world of many menacing beast. Although Proteus sent Bellerophon and Pegasus on many missions, hoping they would be killed, but that never happened. The pair lived through all of their adventures and seemed to be invincible. With all of his many victories under his belt king Lobates concluded that the God’s must favor Bellerophon. For this reason, he offered his daughter to Bellerophon in marriage, which would have made Bellerophon the heir to the throne of King Lobates. As happens with many men, all of his success went to Bellerophon’s head, and king Lobates offer did not please Bellerophon, he desired the life of a god. Bellerophon’s next move was to attempt to fly Pegasus to the top of Mt. Olympus. This did not set well with Zeus so he sent a fly to harrass Pegasus. When the fly bit Pegasus, the great horse jumped which caused Bellerophon to crash to the earth below.

Instead of having the life of a god, Bellerophon became blind and crippled. Bellerophon, Riding Pegasus, Slaying the Chimaera Pegasus after Bellerophone Zeus did not punish Pegasus; in fact, Zeus honored the flying horse. Zeus gave Pegasus the honor of carrying his thunderbolts. Later Pegasus mated with Euippe, and the two had offspring. The children of Pegasus and Euippe were Celeris and Melanippe, from this family came all other winged horses. Because Pegasus was a mortal creature, for this reason Zeus gave the great winged horse one last honor on the last day of his life. On that day Zeus changed Pegasus into a beautiful constellation where everyone on the planet can see him flying across the heavens today.

Question: In Greek mythology, who rode Pegasus, the flying horse?
Answer: Perseus