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.
When the horse was drinking from the well 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.
Description
Most often described as a large white stallion with wings, they have been a mainstay of fantasy art for generations.
Origin
In Greek and Roman mythology Pegasus sprang from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa when the hero Perseus beheaded her.
Symbolism
Pegasus' story became a favourite theme in Greek art and literature, and in late antiquity Pegasus' soaring flight was interpreted as an allegory of the soul's immortality; in modern times it has been regarded as a symbol of poetic and artistic inspiration.
Stories
Pegasus sprang from the gorgon Medusa's neck when Perseus killed her. Athena caught and tamed Pegasus and presented him to the Muses on mount Helicon, where, having struck the ground with his hoof, a spring began to flow, which became sacred to the Muses as the fountain Hippocrene. Bellerophon, King of Corinth, managed to capture Pegasus with a golden bridle, given by Athena.
With the help of Pegasus, Bellephoron was then able to destroy the three-headed monster Chimaera. Unfortunately, however, this caused Bellerophon to have an inflated opinion of his greatness, and he attempted to fly on Pegasus to join the gods on Olympus. An enraged Zeus sent an insect to annoy Pegasus, causing the horse to throw Bellerophon from his back. Pegasus was then installed in the Olympian stables where he was entrusted to bring Zeus his lightning and thunderbolts. Bellophoron did not die from his fall but remained lame and blind in consequence. After this, he wandered lonely through the Aleian field, avoiding the paths of men, and died miserably.