In Greek mythology we find several hybrid beings: centaurs, half man half horse, harpies, griffins, chimeras or manticores among others. However, there is one that is special, a winged horse capable of reaching Olympus and that is the son of one of the 12 of the Olympic pantheon. The myth of Pegasus has been transmitted over centuries and millennia, and its symbolism is absolutely powerful. Today in Supercurious we want to tell you the story of Pegasus in Greek mythology. Can you come with us? Well, let’s get started!
The story of Pegasus in Greek mythology
Pegasus in Greek mythology offers one of the most beautiful images and as such was reproduced in a multitude of works of art. A horse with wings, which since it took flight after its birth, crosses the skies in the service of Zeusbringing lightning, lightning, thunder and also messages.
1. Before the origin of the Pegasus horse
The Pegasus myth has a rather peculiar beginning. It is said that his mother was Medusa, the gorgon, and his father was Poseidon. Medusa was a beautiful young woman with golden hair, unlike her sisters, who were monstrous but immortal beings.
One day when she was offering a sacrifice in the temple of Athena, Poseidon saw her and, ignited by desire, threw himself on top of her and raped her. Without a doubt, one of the most famous violations of the god Poseidon.
The goddess Athena, instead of punishing Poseidon, lashed out at Medusa for desecrating her virginal sanctuary. He turned her into a monster like her sisters, with snakes for hair. There we find the beginning of the myth of Pegasus.
2. The feat of Perseus
After that event, the hero Perseus was tricked by King Polydectes, who wanted to marry his mother, into bringing him Medusa’s head.
Perseus, with a shield-mirror, managed to get rid of the gorgon’s petrifying gaze and sliced off its head. Pegasus and the giant Chrysaor were born from the cut, since Medusa had become pregnant by Poseidon.
The fact that Pegasus was a horse is not strange, since some versions of the myth explain that Poseidon took the form of a horse to rape Medusa.
In some Renaissance and later paintings we see Perseus riding the winged horse. It is a relatively common way of representing Pegasus in Greek mythology. However, scholars consider this to be nothing more than artistic license, since Pegasus is never ridden by this hero. Perseus did not need to get on his back, since he had slippers with wings that allowed him to fly.
The characteristics of Pegasus
Pegasus in Greek mythology is represented as a beautiful horse with wings, which could cross the skies and universes bringing messages. But he could also live like a regular horse, running free through open spaces.
Pegasus in mythology is white. White is rare in horses because many of the equines considered white are actually a very light gray in color. The Greeks, by saying that Pegasus was white, affirmed its exceptional and supernatural nature.
Another of the characteristics of Pegasus in Greek mythology is that when it flies it moves its legs as if it were running in the air. But what stands out most about the myth of Pegasus are its links. Let’s see what else we know about this winged horse.
Myths about Pegasus
One of Pegasus’ most powerful links is the one it has with Bellerophon, the Greek hero. He also with the source of the muses and with the constellation that bears his name.
1. The myth of Pegasus and Bellerophon
According to some Greek authors, the union between these two characters is due to the fact that they were half brothers, since Bellerophon was also the son of Poseidon.
Indeed, the myth of Pegasus seems to have been decisive in the fate of this mythological hero. Bellerophon had to flee his country after involuntarily killing his brother.
He took refuge in the court of King Preto in Tirinto. The queen fell in love with him and since the young man ignored her, she was enraged and denounced him for trying to rape her. The king, who could not kill him because of his duty of hospitality, sent him to the kingdom of his mother-in-law to be assassinated there.
Iobates of Lycia, so as not to stain his hands with blood directly, sent him to kill Chimera. Bellerophon consulted a pythoness who told him that he needed the Pegasus horse to carry out his mission.
The hero managed to tame it with the help of some golden reins that Athena gave him and together they defeated The Chimera and passed other tests. Finally, Iobates, seeing his extraordinary heroism, offered him the hand of one of his daughters.
However, the end of Bellerophon is tragic. One day he decided that he was worth as much as the gods and wanted to dwell with them on Olympus, so he spurred Pegasus in Greek mythology, directing him towards the sky. The gods sent a mosquito that bit the winged horse, causing it to startle and dismount Bellerophon, He fell to Earth, crippled forever.
2. The myth of Pegasus and the source of the muses
Another interesting appearance of Pegasus in Greek mythology is the one that links him to the muses. In fact, it is believed that the horse was one of his favorite animals.
A myth tells that the muses won the Piérides in a poetry contest and To reward them, Pegasus hit the mountain with one of his hooves and made a fountain sprout so they could bathe..
The muses considered the spring sacred and its waters provided inexhaustible inspiration to poets. various places in Greece they dispute to be the source of Pegasus.
3. Pegasus and the constellation that bears his name
The myth of Pegasus tells that, when he dropped Bellerophon, he continued on his way to the sky and Zeus, grateful for all his services, turned him into the constellation that bears his name.: the constellation Pegasus.
Is there a relationship between Pegasus and Hercules?
The story of Hercules or Heracles, for the Greeks, presents him as the great-grandson of Perseus through the maternal line. This is all the relationship that we have been able to find between Pegasus in Greek mythology and the hero.
In none of the formal investigations in this regard does Pegasus appear as the horse of Hercules, nor is there any myth that unites them. Disney took the license to make Hercules’s horse, although there was no mythological basis for it.
Differences between unicorn and pegasus
Throughout history, Pegasus, in Greek mythology, has sometimes been linked to unicorns. But the reality is that their bond is quite limited.
unicorns are mythological creatures which is indeed depicted as a white horse. But these have antelope legs, a goatee, and a horn on their foreheads. The Pegasus myth is different. First of all, his origin, as the son of Medusa and Poseidon, makes him a special being. But besides that, Pegasus does not have an antelope’s horn or legs. He is a horse with wings and the power to fly, which belongs to Zeus.
And you, Did you know the story of Pegasus in Greek mythology? Did you know that it wasn’t actually Hercules’ horse? If you have any other information about the myth of Pegasus that you want us to add, feel free to leave us a comment. We will be happy to read you!