---
title: Pegasus: The Winged Horse of Greek Mythology
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Pegasus/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2025-04-18
---
# Pegasus: The Winged Horse of Greek Mythology
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
Pegasus (or Pegasos) is a winged-horse from [Greek mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/) which was fathered by [Poseidon](https://www.worldhistory.org/poseidon/) and was born from the severed neck of the gorgon [Medusa](https://www.worldhistory.org/Medusa/), slain by [Perseus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Perseus/). At the same time and in the same way, Chryasor was also born. Poseidon gave Pegasus to his son [Bellerophon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bellerophon/) who put Pegasus to good use in his famous [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) with the Chimaera.
The myth of Bellerophon begins with the hero visiting [Tiryns](https://www.worldhistory.org/tiryns/) and enjoying the hospitality of the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)'s king Proitos. However, trouble started when Stheneboia, the king's wife, fell in love with the hero and made inappropriate advances. Bellerophon, being a good guest, politely rejected these advances but predictably, Stheneboia saw red and went before the king and accused the visitor of attempting to seduce her. In punishment, Bellerophon was sent by Proitos to serve his father-in-[law](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/law/) Iobates, King of Lykia. On arrival, Bellerophon was set a series of dangerous and impossibly difficult tasks, chief amongst them being to destroy the fearsome and rather bizarre Chimaera. This fire-breathing creature was a terrible mix of a lion's body with a snake for a tail and the head of a goat sprouting from its back. To aid him in this task, Bellerophon was fortunate to have at his disposal Pegasus. In some accounts he found the horse at the fountain of Pirene near [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/), and [Hesiod](https://www.worldhistory.org/hesiod/) suggests this fact explains the name Pegasus, derived from 'water'- *pēgē*. Taming the horse with the help of [Athena](https://www.worldhistory.org/athena/), Bellerophon rode (and flew) Pegasus and managed to kill the monstrous Chimaera with his spear.
Bellerophon and Pegasus went on to enjoy further success with other challenges Iobates set the hero including a battle with the [Amazons](https://www.worldhistory.org/amazon/). However, becoming rather boastful and thinking he could fly high enough on his winged steed to take his place amongst the immortal gods, Bellerophon was thrown by Pegasus and fell unceremoniously back to earth. Meanwhile, Pegasus kept on going and on reaching Mt. Olympus, he was given to [Eos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Eos/) who was responsible for bringing Dawn across the sky each day. According to Hesiod in his *[Theogony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theogony/)*, Pegasus also brought [Zeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/) his thunder and lightning whenever needed.
Pegasus is also credited with creating a number of springs with a stamp of his hoof. Most famous of these were the Hippocrene spring on Mt. Helicon, close to the grove sacred to the [Muses](https://www.worldhistory.org/muse/), and the spring at Troezen.
Pegasus appeared on [Greek pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Pottery/), the earliest being Corinthian wares from the 7th century BCE. Pegasus was also a popular design on coins, in particular from Corinth from the 6th century BCE. A famous representation in [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/) is from the pediment of the [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of [Artemis](https://www.worldhistory.org/artemis/) on [Corcyra](https://www.worldhistory.org/corcyra/) (c. 580 BCE). The Bellerophon and Pegasus myth was also a popular subject in [Roman art](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Art/) - especially engraved semi-precious stone cameos and floor mosaics - where the horse became symbolic of immortality.
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#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- Carabatea, M. *Greek Mythology.* Pergamos, Peania, 2007
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Timeline
- **c. 700 BCE**: [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) poet [Hesiod](https://www.worldhistory.org/hesiod/) writes his *[Theogony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theogony/)* and *[Works and Days](https://www.worldhistory.org/Works_and_Days/)*.
- **c. 650 BCE**: [Pegasus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pegasus/) first appears on [Greek pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Pottery/) decoration.
- **c. 580 BCE**: The west pediment of the [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of [Artemis](https://www.worldhistory.org/artemis/) in [Corcyra](https://www.worldhistory.org/corcyra/) depicts [Medusa](https://www.worldhistory.org/Medusa/) and [Pegasus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pegasus/).
## Questions & Answers
### What animal is Pegasus?
Pegasus is a winged horse.
### Who owns Pegasus?
The greek hero Bellerophon tamed Pegasus and rode it in his adventures.
### What is the meaning of Pegasus?
Hesiod suggests explains that the name Pegasus is derived from ancient Greek 'water' - pēgē because Bellerophon found the winged horse at the fountain of Pirene near Corinth.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2013, February 13). Pegasus: The Winged Horse of Greek Mythology. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Pegasus: The Winged Horse of Greek Mythology." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 13, 2013. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Pegasus: The Winged Horse of Greek Mythology." *World History Encyclopedia*, 13 Feb 2013, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 13 February 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.