In ancient Greek lore, Pegasus is celebrated as an immortal winged stallion, born from the union of Poseidon and Medusa. Alongside his brother, Chrysaor—who bore a golden sword—Pegasus emerged in a miraculous manner from the neck of his mother, after Perseus had beheaded her. This majestic creature became associated with Bellerophon, a renowned hero, before being tamed by Zeus, who tasked him with pulling the chariot of his thunderbolts.
The Springs of Pegasus
Hesiod posits that the name Pegasus is derived from the Greek term for springs, “pegae,” as he was said to have emerged near the springs of Ocean. His robust connection to water stems from a remarkable ability he inherited from Poseidon; Pegasus could create new streams by striking his hoof against the ground. Notably, he is credited with the creation of two renowned springs in Greece, both named Hippocrene, which translates to “Horse Spring.” The more prominent of the two is located on Mount Helicon, a revered site of the Muses. The spring’s waters were thought to inspire creativity and poetic brilliance in those who drank from it.
The Bond with Bellerophon
Pegasus had the distinction of being owned for a time by Bellerophon, the heroic figure known for battling formidable foes.
Taming the Wild Pegasus
Pegasus was initially known for his wild nature, until he was finally subdued by Bellerophon, aided significantly by the goddess Athena. Pindar, a distinguished poet from Ancient Greece, recounts that Athena provided Bellerophon with a magical golden bridle, which he used to tame Pegasus while the stallion was drinking at the Pierian spring, another legendary water source linked to both Pegasus and the Muses.
Epic Adventures
With Pegasus as his mount, Bellerophon triumphed over various adversaries including the fierce Amazons, the monstrous Chimaera that breathed fire, and the formidable Solymi tribe. Additionally, Pegasus played a pivotal role when Bellerophon sought revenge against Stheneboea, the wife of King Jobates, who had falsely accused him after he rebuffed her advances. Some versions of the tale suggest that Bellerophon offered her a ride on Pegasus, only for the stallion to cast her into the sea during their flight.
The Downfall of Bellerophon
However, Bellerophon’s story took a tragic turn driven by his growing arrogance. After achieving great feats against numerous foes, he began to believe himself deserving of a place among the gods on Mount Olympus. In pursuit of this prideful ambition, he mounted Pegasus and attempted to ascend. Angered by Bellerophon’s hubris, Zeus sent a gadfly to sting Pegasus, causing the horse to throw his rider down to the earth, leading to Bellerophon’s demise.
Pegasus Ascends to the Heavens
Despite the tragic fate of his rider, Pegasus continued to Olympus, where he was stabled alongside Zeus’ other steeds. Zeus then appointed him to pull the chariot carrying his thunderbolts. After years of faithful service, the god honored Pegasus by granting him a constellation that bears his name to this day.
Historical Sources
The origin of Pegasus and his legendary exploits can be found in Hesiod’s Theogony, which narrates his birth and name’s derivation, while Pindar’s 13th Olympian Ode recounts the story of Bellerophon and Pegasus starting from its 60th verse. For a comprehensive overview, one can refer to Apollodorus’ Library.
