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 The Myth of Pegasus The Myth of Pegasus An Adventure Learning Story of Inspiration The Myth of Pegasus is one that is recognized almost universally. More than a just story, there are many symbols within that make the Pegasus story one of inspiration, with the winged horse Pegasus spreading inspiration wherever he went. The Birth of Pegasus According to the Myth of Pegasus, the winged horse was born of the blood of Medusa who was once a beautiful woman but suffered the jealous wrath of the goddess Athena – Goddess of war - not someone who's wrath you would want to incure. As such, a bit of insight into the Medusa myth is necessary to see the bigger picture.

The Sea God, Poseidon, desperately desired the beautiful Medusa and in state of wild ecstasy ravaged her in one of Athena’s temples (it was at this point in the Pegasus story that he was conceived). This made matters worse for Medusa as she further incurred the wrath of Athena. As punishment Athena transformed Medusa into a hideous creature with dragon wings, scaled skin and most notably, writhing serpents as her hair (as most of us know her). Medusa was so hideous in fact that anyone making eye contact with her would be petrified and turned into stone! The Myth of Pegasus tells how Medusa became extremely bitter and vengeful as a result of this. Enter the hero Perseus, the son of Zeus and Danae. The Birth of the Hero Perseus… The Myth of Pegasus Evolves When Danae was born to King Acrisius he consulted an oracle who foretold a bleak future for king, prophesizing that the King himself would be slain by Danae’s son, his grandson. Consumed by fear the king kept his daughter locked away in a brass tower away from the eyes of mortal men. Rumors of Danae’s beauty spread far and wide.

So wide in fact that it got the attention of Almighty Zeus, who paid fair Danae a visit one night in a shower of gold. In that moment the hero Perseus was conceived. Danae was unsuccessful in her attempts to explain to dear old King Acrisius that Perseus was the son of Zeus. Both were cast to sea in a box which later washed ashore on the island of Seriphos ruled by the King of Polydectes. Many years passed and the king fell in love with Danae begging her to marry him. Perseus however would have none of it knowing that the king was a cruel man. One day Perseus was tricked into promising the king the head of Medusa – the only mortal Gorgon (Medusa had 2 sisters, the three of them were know as the Gorgons and all of them suffered the wrath of Athena). Thus getting him out of the picture and out of the Kings plans to marry Danae. Zeus on the other foot was proud of his son’s accomplishments. The hero Perseus had grown up to be a fine man with exceptional hunting, fishing and sword skills.

Zeus called a meeting with the other Immortals of Olympus and commanded that they assist the hero Perseus in his quest to behead Medusa. Hermes – the Messenger God – presented Perseus with wings for his sandals allowing him to move swiftly through space as well as the sickle of Cronus (Saturn) the only blade sharp enough to sever Medusa’s head. Athena lent Perseus her shield and advised the hero to use its polished surface as a mirror so as to avoid direct eye contact with Medusa. Death of the Medusa Myth and The birth of the Myth of Pegasus! So Perseus set off on his quest to behead Medusa. After a few stops along the way Perseus, with his winged sandals, sped off to the Medusa’s island. The land around the cavern was strewn with stone statues of unfortunate souls who had beheld the hideous visage of Medusa. The hero Perseus caught the Gorgon off guard, having a nap under a tree with her two sisters. He snuck up on Medusa and was just about to strike when Medusa awoke.

Fortunately for Perseus, Medusa caught a glimpse of her own reflection and was stunned for a second, giving Perseus just enough time to sever her head. Even though her head was severed it still possessed its supernatural abilities and as such Perseus swiftly placed the head in a special wallet given to him by the Hesperides sisters residing on Mount Atlas (one of his stops!). He had to make a quick escape to avoid being avenged by Medusa’s two sisters. Over oceans and continents he sped to get away from the dreadful Gorgons. As Perseus was speeding over the ocean, some of Medusa’s blood seeped through the wallet and as it hit the waters, Medusa’s two children were born – Pegasus, the winged horse of inspiration, and Chrysaor – He of the Golden Sword. And so the Myth of Pegasus was born. Pegasus back to the Eagle's Nest and Scorpio The Medusa, Pegasus, and Scorpio Remain calm, Scorpio! This section really is about Scorpio and Pegasus... but first, you've got to make it past the deadly Medusa. Tell the truth, Scorpio Sun!

It's no huge secret to you that Scorpio and the archetypal image of the Medusa have a lot in common. C'mon! You remember the Medusa, don't you?... she was one of the three Gorgon sisters of Greek mythology. The Gorgon sisters were the three ladies who could turn men into stone just by looking at them. Terrifyingly Beautiful You see... once upon a time, the three Gorgon sisters were all beautiful, desirable women. The most beautiful of the three sisters, Medusa, happened to catch the attention of the god Poseidon (the god of the oceans and waterways). Having been smitten with desire for the beautiful Medusa, Poseidon set out about seducing her... and to make a long story short, they got together for one glorious night of wild, passionate lovemaking in the temple of Athena. Unfortunately, the temple of Athena was an extremely bad choice of places for Poseidon and Medusa to get together and do the wild thing... You see... Athena (being a chaste, virgin goddess) was terribly offended by this sort of behavior going on in her sacred temple...

And so, Athena's punishment was to curse Medusa and her two sisters with sheer, unadulterated ugliness! Athena turned the three sister's hair into live snakes and filled their eyes with venomous fury and horror. They ended up having a gaze which could (and would) turn even the most valiant of heroes into stone. Yet, in spite of their monstrous condition, sources say the three sisters were terrifyingly beautiful and seductive to behold. And so... any man unfortunate enough to encounter the infamous Gorgon sisters, (even when knowing that exchanging glances with the Gorgons would result in instant death), still could not avert his gaze from the terrifyingly beautiful Gorgon sisters.... Perseus We learn the most about the Gorgon sisters in the adventures of a Greek hero by the name of Perseus. (You may remember this story from that movie "The Clash of the Titans" The version of the story in the movie is bogus.) For various heroic reasons, Perseus has sworn to a certain king that he (Perseus) will bring this king the head of the dreaded Medusa. Of the three Gorgon sisters, only the Medusa is mortal and can be killed....

Perseus, generously aided by gifts of Athena and Hermes (consisting of a golden shield and a swift sword) finally locates the cave of the terrifying Gorgon sisters. Luckily for Perseus, he comes upon the Gorgons while they're still soundly sleeping. But foolishly, Perseus cannot avert his eyes from the seductive beauty of the Medusa (who is still fast asleep). Finally, only after much concentrated mental effort, Perseus is able to force himself to look away from the Medusa.... The Medusa then awakens to see Perseus; and a battle between Perseus and Medusa ensues. But using the golden shield of Athena, Perseus is able to see the Medusa's reflection. And with the swift sword of Hermes, Perseus cuts off the head of Medusa. (Settle down... I'm about to get to the Pegasus part!) The Medusa Connection? Face it... it doesn't exactly take a rocket scientist to make the connection between the Medusa and Scorpionic energies.... There's no need to grasp at straws here.

But in all fairness to you Scorpio Suns, I'd be more than remiss if I failed to mention that folks with their Moon in Scorpio Sun and/or Moon in aspect to Pluto Sun and/or Moon in the 8th house are not exactly strangers to the energies of Medusa. In fact, wherever you find Scorpionic/Plutonian energies in the birth chart, you'll likely find the Medusa lurking in the shadows nearby.... Intensity and betrayal are often a couple of the Medusa's favorite themes. If Looks Could Kill, (They Certainly Will) C'mon now, Scorpio! Tell the truth... Turned anyone into stone with your dark, powerful Scorpionic gaze lately? You know... That stone cold glare which quite effectively informs its recipients that they might as well not exist on this (or any other) planet.. Okay, okay... I know they probably did something deserving of "the dreaded look." But all those writhing, venomous snakes growing out of your head? Do something about that... Okay? Check in with a hair stylist! First Name Basis And yeahï¿½ I know... I know... Everyone has their own internal Medusa to deal with!

She's the Medusa that everyone eventually has to to face, battle and ultimately reconcile with.... But Scorpio, we know, you're on a first name basis with the lady. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing... Over your years of experience with the lady, you've become rather adept in recognizing the Medusa in you -- therefore also recognizing when she's rearing her ugly head and spewing out her venom through the people around you. So your "first name basis" with the lady comes in handy by keeping you alert to all the many Medusas who inevitably cross your path. Pegasus? (or the Rest of the Story) But so where does Pegasus fit into all this? After Medusa's night of passion in the temple of Athena, she was "with child" by Poseidon. And so at the time of her death, the Medusa carried within her womb the hero Chrysaor and the winged steed Pegasus. And when the Medusa's head was severed at the neck, Chrysaor and Pegasus sprang out. And older versions of the tale show Perseus escaping the other two Gorgon sisters while riding on the back of Pegasus.

It was out of the Medusa's head ï¿½ that the beautiful, majestic, winged horse, Pegasus was born. The very same archetypal energies which gave life to the Medusa are also the energies which gave life and birth to the winged horse, Pegasus. Medusa was released from her curse by the heroic deeds of Perseus, and through the cutting off of her head. Thus, learning lessons of mental detachment are often quite crucial in the continued growth and lives journeys of those strong in Scorpionic/Plutonic energies. The Medusa symbolizes the curse of Scorpio, but Pegasus is the final redemption and rebirth of Scorpio set free! Footnote: And on the journey back to the king, the blood of Medusa spilled out on the land, bringing forth snakes and scorpions on the land. Pegasus - Facts on the Winged Horse of Greek Mythology Appearance: A beautiful horse with wings. Symbol or Attribute: His wings are his identifying symbol. Strengths: Can fly. Weaknesses: Can be captured and ridden. Parents: Medusa - Pegasus was born from the blood of her severed head when Perseus killed her.

His brother Chrysaor was born at the same moment; Chrysaor was not a horse though little is known of his appearance and he may have been a giant. Poseidon was the father of Chrysaor and may also have been the father of Pegasus. Spouse: None Children: None known. Associated Sites: Mount Helicon, where Pegasus kicked the mountain to stop it growing larger and at the same moment, created the spring called Hippocrene; Corinth, where the ill-fated hero Bellerophon captured him on the high hill of Acrocorinth . Basic Story: Bellerophon tried to use Pegasus to fly to Mount Olympus, but Zeus was not amused and sent an insect to bite Pegasus. Pegasus then bucked off Bellerophon, who fell to earth and died. continue reading below our video Tips for Taking Better Travel Photos Moral: don't try to crash Mount Olympus without an invite. Alternate name: Sometimes spelled "Pegasos", which may mean his name has non-Greek origins indicated by the "-os" ending, which is pre-Greek. Winged horses and other winged animals were also sometimes depicted in Minoan art on the island of Crete.

Interesting Fact: Pegasus is sometimes called "The Thundering Horse of Jove," an alternate name for Zeus, and is thought to carry Zeus' thunderbolts through the sky. Pegasus is the best-known winged horse in mythology. The image of the flying horse is well-known in the United States as the secondary logo to Mobil Oil, now ExxonMobil, and it graced gas stations for decades and can still occasionally be seen. More Fast Facts on Greek Gods and Goddesses: Plan Your Own Trip to Greece Pegasus, the Flying Horse | StarDate Online Pegasus, the Flying Horse Pegasus, the Flying Horse Pegasus is a large pattern of stars marked by a great square — four bright stars that form the body of the winged horse. Pegasus is a character from Mediterranean mythology, although he's best known for a couple of myths that he wasn't part of -- those of Perseus and Hercules. In classical Greek mythology, Perseus killed the snake-headed Medusa to save the princess Andromeda from a nasty sea monster. A few drops of Medusa's blood fell into the sea.

When it mixed with the foam, it gave birth to Pegasus, who later played a part in the story of another hero, Bellerophon. In modern times, though, Pegasus has become a more integral part of the Perseus story. In recent tellings, when Perseus shows up to save Andromeda, he is riding Pegasus. And the tale of the flying horse became even more convoluted with Disney's animated version of Hercules, in which Herc and Pegasus are pals. The brightest star in the Great Square, Alpheratz, isn't in the constellation Pegasus. It's in Andromeda, which is just northeast of Pegasus. It is part of the ancient sky picture that we know as Pegasus. But when astronomers drew the official boundaries for the constellations, this star was placed just across the line in Andromeda. The brightest star in the constellation is Markab, which means "the saddle." It's at the southwestern corner of the Great Square. At another corner is Beta Pegasi. "Beta" means it should be the second-brightest star in Pegasus, and sometimes it is. The star pulses in and out like a beating heart.

When it pulses out, its surface cools, so it gets fainter. When it squeezes back in it gets hotter, so it glows brighter, making it Pegasus's brightest star. Another star in Pegasus, II Pegasi, produced a monster flare a few years ago -- a powerful explosion on its surface that generated a torrent of energy and charged particles. The flare was 100 million times more powerful than a typical flare on the Sun. If Earth orbited II Pegasi, such a monster would obliterate the ozone layer and alter the climate, and probably kill much of the planet's life. The star's magnetic field may be energized by a nearby companion star, which causes II Pegasi to spin on its axis once every seven days (versus about 29 days for the Sun). This fast rotation may keep the star's internal layers in high-speed motion, generating a powerful magnetic field that produces flares and other storms. Bellerophon: Adventures of a Bad Boy Hero Ancient/Classical History Expert By N.S. Gill Bellerophon was one of the major heroes of Greek mythology because he was the son of a mortal father. What's in a demigod?

Let's take a look at Bellerophon'. The Birth of a Hero Remember Sisyphus , the guy punished for being a trickster by having to roll a rock up a hill - then doing it over and over, for eternity? Well, before he got into all that trouble, he was the king of Corinth , an important city in ancient Greece. He married Merope, one of the Pleiades - daughters of the Titan Atlas who were also stars in the sky. Sisphyus and Merope had one son, Glaucus. When it came time to get married, "Glaucus ... had by Eurymede a son Bellerophon," according to Pseudo-Apollodorus's Library. Homer echoes this in the Iliad , saying, "Sisyphus, son of Aeolus .... begat a son Glaucus; and Glaucus begat peerless Bellerophon." But what made Bellerophon so "peerless"? For one, Bellerophon was one of many Greek heroes (think Theseus , Heracles , and more) who had both human and divine fathers.

continue reading below our video 10 Best Universities in the United States Poseidon had relations with his mother, so Bellerophon was counted as both a man and a child of a god. So he's called both Sisyphus and Poseidon's kid. Hyginus numbers Bellerophon among Poseidon's sons in his Fabulae, and Hesiod elaborate s even further on it. Hesiod calls Eurymede Eurynome, "to whom Pallas Athene taught all her art, both wit and wisdom too; for she was as wise as the gods." But " she lay in the arms of Poseidon and bare in the house of Glaucus blameless Bellerophon ..." Not bad for a queen - a semi-divine child as her kid! Pegasus and Pretty Women As Poseidon 's son, Bellerophon was entitled to gifts from his immortal dad. Present number one? A winged horse as a pal.

Hesiod writes, "And when he began to roam, his father gave him Pegasus who would bear him most swiftly on his wings, and flew unwearying everywhere over the earth, for like the gales he would course along." Athena may actually have had a role in this. Pindar claims that Athena helped Bellerophon harness Pegasus by giving him "a bridle with golden cheek-pieces." After sacrificing a bull to Athena, Bellerophon was able to bridle the untameable horse. He "stretched the gentle charmed bridle around its jaws and caught the winged horse. Mounted on its back and armored in bronze, at once he began to play with weapons." First up on the list? Hanging out with a king named Proteus, whose wife, Antaea, fell in love with their guest. Why was that so bad? "For Antaea, wife of Proetus, lusted after him, and would have had him lie with her in secret; but Bellerophon was an honorable man and would not, so she told lies about him to Proetus," says Homer. Of course, Proteus believed his wife, who claimed that Bellerophon tried to rape her.

Interestingly, Diodorus Siculus says that Bellerophon went to visit Proteus because he was "in exile because of a murder he had unwittingly committed." Proteus would have killed Bellerophon, but the Greeks had a strict policy of taking care of their guests . So, in order to get Bellerophon - but not do the deed himself - Proteus sent Bellerophon and his flying horse off to his father-in-law, King Iobates of Lycia (in Asia Minor). Along with Bellerophon, he sent a closed letter to Iobates, telling him of what B. supposedly did to Iobates's daughter. Needless to say, Iobates wasn't so fond of his new guest and wanted to kill Bellerophon! How to Get Away with Murder So he wouldn't violate the guest bond, Iobates tried to get a monster to kill Bellerophon.

He "first commanded Bellerophon to kill that savage monster, the Chimaera ." This was one terrifying beast, who "had the head of a lion and the tail of a serpent, while her body was that of a goat, and she breathed forth flames of fire." Presumably, not even Bellerophon could defeat this monster, so she'd do the killing for Iobates and Proteus. Not so fast. Bellerophon was able to use his heroics to defeat the Chimaera, "for he was guided by signs from heaven." He did it from high up, says Pseudo-Apollodorus. " So Bellerophon mounted his winged steed Pegasus, offspring of Medusa and Poseidon, and soaring on high shot down the Chimera from the height." Next up on his battle list? The Solymi, a tribe in Lycia, recounts Herodotus . Then, Bellerophon took on the Amazons , fierce warrior women of the ancient world, on the command of Iobates.

He defeated them, but still the Lycian king plotted against him, for he chose "the bravest warriors in all Lycia , and placed them in ambuscade, but not a man ever came back, for Bellerophon killed every one of them," says Homer. Finally, Iobates realized he had a good guy on his hands. As a result, he honored Bellerophon and "kept him in Lycia , gave him his daughter in marriage, and made him of equal honor in the kingdom with himself; and the Lycians gave him a piece of land, the best in all the country, fair with vineyards and tilled fields, to have and to hold." Ruling Lycia with his father-in-law, Bellerophon even had three kids. You'd think he had it all ... but this wasn't enough for an egotistical hero. Downfall from On High Not content with being a king and a god's son, Bellerophon decided to try to become a god himself. He mounted Pegasus and attempted to fly him to Mount Olympus .

Writes Pindar in his Isthmean Ode, "Winged Pegasus threw his master Bellerophon, who wanted to go to the dwelling-places of heaven and the company of Zeus." Tossed down to earth, Bellerophon had lost his heroic status and lived the rest of his life in indignity. Homer writes that he "came to be hated by all the gods, he wandered all desolate and dismayed upon the Alean plain, gnawing at his own heart, and shunning the path of man." Not a nice way to end a heroic life! As for his kids, two out of three died due to the gods' anger. " Ares , insatiate of battle, killed his son Isandros while he was fighting the Solymi; his daughter was killed by Artemis of the golden reins, for she was angered with her," writes Homer. But his other son, Hippolochus, lived to father a son named Glaucus, who fought at Troy and narrated his own lineage in the Iliad.

Hippolochus encouraged Glaucus to live up to his famous ancestry, noting "he urged me again and again to fight ever among the foremost and out-vie my peers, so as not to shame the blood of my fathers who were the noblest in Ephyra and in all Lycia." Greek Mythology: What are some of the lesser known stories about Medusa? - Quora Quora Facts and Trivia Greek Mythology: What are some of the lesser known stories about Medusa? Apart from what I came across in mainstream media like movies and games. Are there any interesting mentions of her in Greek mythology? Written Mar 14, 2013 There are a lot of interesting stories about Medusa that don't get mentioned often. She was one of three siblings. Her two sisters, Stheno and Euryale, had the same physical features and powers as Medusa (hair = snakes, stone gaze, etc.). The only difference was that they were immortal and Medusa was not. She was pregnant when she was killed. Before her battle with Perseus, Medusa had been raped and impregnated by Poseidon.

When Perseus beheaded her, she gave birth to Pegasus, the winged horse. Perseus traveled the world wreaking havoc with Medusa's head. He flew to northern Africa, turned the Titan Atlas into stone (forming the Atlas mountains), dropped some of Medusa's blood into the ocean and into the desert (the drops of blood created the Red Sea corals and desert vipers where they fell). He met his wife Andromeda in Ethiopia, before moving on to save his mother from an unwanted marriage by (again) turning her husband into stone. Sources: 2. Servius, In Aeneida vi.289 3. Lucan, Bellum civile ix.624–684 4. Ovid, Metamorphoses iv.774–785, 790–801 Written Mar 14, 2013 Medusa is one of the most interesting creature from Greek mythology. Some interesting points which I know: Medusa was one of three Gorgons sisters, and the only one who was mortal.

The Gorgons are monstrous creatures covered with impenetrable scales, with hair of living snakes, hands made of brass, sharp fangs and a beard. They live in the ultimate west, near the ocean, and guard the entrance to the underworld. In a late version of Medusa myth, Medusa was originally a beautiful maiden. When she was caught being raped by the Poseidon in Athena's temple, the enraged Athena transformed Medusa's beautiful hair to serpents and made her face so terrible to behold that the mere sight of it would turn onlookers to stone. (she desecrated her temple by lying there with Poseidon). Perseus beheaded Medusa by looking at her reflection from the mirrored shield he received from Athena. Later Perseus gave the Gorgon's head to Athena, who placed it on her shield, the Aegis, which she wears as her breastplate. From Medusa's dead body the giant Chrysaor and the winged horse Pegasus, sprang from her body. Medusa has been featured in many games. Her Dota 2 lore is more than interesting: Beauty is power.

This thought comforted Medusa--the youngest and loveliest of three beautiful Gorgon sisters, born to a sea goddess--because she alone of the sisters was mortal. It comforted her, that is, until the day masked assailants invaded the Gorgon realm and tore the two immortal sisters from their home, unmoved by their beauty or by their tears. One of the invaders seized Medusa as well, but then cast her aside with a disgusted look: 'This one has the mortal stink upon her. We have no use for that which dies.' Humiliated, enraged, Medusa fled to the temple of her mother and cast herself before the goddess, crying, 'You denied me eternal life--therefore I beg you, give me power! Power, so I can dedicate what life I have to rescuing my sisters and avenging this injustice!' After long thought, the goddess granted her daughter's request, allowing Medusa to trade her legendary beauty for a face and form of terrifying strength. Never for a moment has Medusa regretted her choice. She understands that power is the only beauty worth possessing--for only power can change the world.

References : Written Dec 28, 2015 She had an amazing family. Medusa was daughter of Phorcys, one of the old sea deities, and Ceto, his sister and wife. They were children to Gaia, the Earth, and Pontus, the Sea, and represented the dangers of the marine depths. The couple was thought to rule over the sea animals. Ceto is actually translated as "whale". Other answers mention that Medusa had two sister Gorgons: Stheno and Euryale. True, but Phorcys and Ceto had other offspring as well, nearly as ferocious and repulsive as Medusa. The Graeae are surely the most famous: two or three old women with silver-grey hair - Pephredo, Enyo (and Deino). The ladies personified sea foam and, according to some authors, had swan bodies. Not so obnoxious thus far. Here it goes: the crones shared one single eye and one tooth, which they passed to each other upon using. By stealing their eye, Perseus made them betray the location of their sisters, the Gorgons.

Medusa also had a brother - Ladon, the hundred-headed dragon who guarded the Garden of the Hesperides. Thoosa, a beautiful nymph, was a boring exception among those siblings. But her son by Poseidon defied even his aunts and uncles in terms of monstrosity. Of course, I mean Polyphemus, the Cyclops cheated by Odysseus. So, Medusa was his loving aunt. Some authors also claimed that Scylla, a beautiful nymph turned into a six-headed sea monster, was yet another daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. As others have mentioned, Medusa had two sons by Poseidon: winged horse Pegasus and giant Chrysaor. Little is known of Chrysaor. But his son by Callirhoe, daughter of Oceanus and Tethys, was yet another gem in the family. Geryon, the three-bodied giant, owned a fabled herd of cows stolen by Heracles. The hero killed the rightful owner, by the way. Furthermore, Echidna: Hesiod's Theogony is not entirely clear about her, so there are two possible versions about Echidna's parentage.

Most scholars think the poet meant her to be Medusa's sister, but some think she was a daughter of Chrysaor and Callirhoe, and thus the Gorgon's grandchild. In any case, that she-dragon with a woman's torso was closely related to Medusa. And that in turn means that the Gorgon was eather aunt or great-grandma of a pack of the most famous monsters of the Greek mythology! For Echidna and her consort Typhon, the colossal beastly giant born from the union of Gaia and Tartarus to avenge the Titans, had most impressive progeni. Different myths do not agree on the list of those kids, so I will compile from various sources: Orthus, a two-headed dog who guarded Geryon's kine; Chimera, a complex beast combining elements of a lion, goat and dragon (by the way, she was killed by Bellerophontes flying upon Pegasus - her cousin or grand-uncle); the Nemean lion killed by Heracles; the Lernaean Hydra killed by Heracles; Sphinx who played riddles with travellers and killed those who failed to answer (i.e.

everyone but Oedipus); the Crommyonian sow slain by Theseus; Cerberus, the three-headed dog guarding Hades; the Caucasian eagle who tore the liver of Prometheus; the Colchian dragon who guarded the Golden Fleece. See, Medusa was just an ordinary representative of her extended family that managed to combine the most famous and recognisable monsters of the Greek myths. Pegasus - the winged horse Pegasus - the winged horse by jptanabe The original horse with wings was Pegasus, a creature in Greek mythology that helped Bellerophon slay the fearsome Chimera. Flying horses have appeared in many cultures in the past as well as in contemporary times. They have all inherited the name Pegasus, although that was actually the name of the legendary Greek flying horse. All later flying horses have his name, although they are not descended from him - it seems like he was one of a kind. Pegasus symbolizes strength and speed as well as beauty, and the ability to transcend the physical world of the horse and fly into the heavens. Image of Pegasus from Wikimedia Commons . Pegasus and Bellerophon Poster Greek Pegasus The original flying horse named Pegasus is found in Greek mythology.

The story goes that he was created from the blood spilled when Medusa, that evil Gorgon who turned people to stone by looking at them, was killed by Perseus. He cut off her head and the blood that spurted from her neck as it mingled with the sea foam gave birth to Pegasus (which explains how his father was Poseidon, god of the ocean). Pegasus is particularly famous for helping the Greek hero Bellerophon to destroy the Chimera, a dangerous creature, a composite of a lion, a goat, and a serpent. It seems that the hero became rather arrogant after this feat, not surprising! Able to ride Pegasus both on land and in the air made him feel invincible and he tried to fly up to Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. Pegasus apparently would have none of this and threw Bellerophon from his back, for which he gained the favor of the gods. Zeus rewarded Pegasus with a stable in Mount Olympus and was given the task of collecting thunderbolts for the god - not a bad job! Pegasus was not immortal, though, and when he died he was turned into a constellation of stars in the sky, achieving a different kind of immortality.

Also, Pegasus has lived on as the name of flying horses in mythologies since then, even to this day. Bellerophon kills the chimera with the help of Pegasus Ad AllPosters Pegasus Flying Isn't it amazing to see a horse fly? Horses are already gorgeous creatures, so strong and beautifully proportioned for speed. But add wings and you have something truly glorious! Is it any wonder that artists and writers alike have wanted to include a Pegasus in their portfolio. I just love this Pegasus appearing from the clouds. He is so majestic, quite awe-inspiring. And those are really amazing wings! The cutest flying Pegasus ever! And as if the glory of the flying horses wasn't enough, some artists have taken this to a whole new level by including a Pegasus foal. Now isn't this mother taking her foal for his first flight just the most adorable image of Pegasus ever? Even if their bodies are a bit dark (because it's night time!), see how the starlight highlights their manes and tails! View on Amazon Flying Horse in Narnia There is a flying horse in C.S.

Lewis' "The Magician's Nephew" (kind of a prequel to "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe"). This one starts off as a regular horse called Strawberry whose job it is to pull a cab in London. It seems he had some noble ancestry, but became a working horse, a life he fulfills dutifully although he remembers a better time in the grass when he was young. Strawberry and his master Frank get swept along into a different realm, kind of by mistake. But it ends well, as Frank and his wife (who gets brought later) become the first king and queen of Narnia, and Strawberry is given the ability to talk, then wings, and his name changed to Fledge. Fledge then becomes the father of all the flying horses in Narnia. Not bad for a working horse! Price info Flying Unicorns Now I have to admit I'm not usually a fan of flying unicorns. Seems to me that unicorns and pegasi (or is it pegasuses?) are just fine the way they are. I mean, a horse with a magical spiral horn, or a horse with wings, these are both great creations!

But, just maybe if I were a unicorn I'd want to try flying too. So I guess the artists that added wings to their unicorns were just granting a secret desire of some unicorns. In any case, flying unicorns do look pretty cool! Gaudior the flying unicorn So yes, I'm not usually a fan of combing pegasus and unicorns - no need to combine that spiral horn with the wings! But in the case of this book, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, by Madeleine L'Engle I can make an exception. This is part of her Time Quintet, that begins with A Wrinkle in Time, a book I absolutely loved when I first read it many years ago. Madeleine L'Engle writes a fascinating combination of science fiction (not only travel through space, as in other planets, but also time travel are key features) and fantasy (hence the flying unicorn). In this story fifteen-year-old Charles Wallace needs to go back in time to change events that led to the current crisis that threatens to destroy the world. Gaudior, the flying unicorn, arrives to help. And guess what, Gaudior doesn't fly through space he flies through time!

So combining those wings with that magical horn made the perfect combination for this story - a horse that flies through time, I love it!

Question: According to Greek mythology, who gave birth to the winged horse 'Pegasus'?
Answer: MEDUSA