Pegasus
Winged horse of Bellerophon. Pegasus, or Πήγασος, was the offspring of Poseidon and the Gorgon Medusa. The winged steed was born when blood from Medusa's neck fell into the sea. Pegasus was born at the same time as Chrysaor.
Bellerophon was only able to tame the steed when Athena gave the hero a golden bridle. Bellerophon used Pegasus in all his adventures: killing the monster Chimaera, and defeating the Solymi and the Amazons.
Pegasus
Gustave Moreau
Musée Gustave Moreau, Paris
When Bellerophon thought to fly Pegasus to Olympus, the home of the gods, they sent a gadfly to sting Pegasus. Bellerophon was thrown off his horse; the hero became lame for his misdeed. After this, Pegasus lived in the stable at Olympus, offering his service to Zeus and carrying his thunderbolts.
Related Information
Name
Pegasus, Pegasos, Πήγασος.
Related Articles
Bellerophon, Gorgon Medusa, Chrysaor, Chimaera, Perseus, Poseidon, Athena.
Facts and Figures: Astronomy, see Pegasus.
By Jimmy Joe
