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.

Pegasus

Server Costs Fundraiser 2024

Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate and contribute to covering our server costs in 2024. With your support, millions of people learn about history entirely for free every month.

$3926 / $18000

❤ Donate

Definition

Pegasus (or Pegasos) is a winged-horse from Greek mythology which was fathered by Poseidon and was born from the severed neck of the gorgon Medusa, slain by Perseus. At the same time and in the same way, Chryasor was also born. Poseidon gave Pegasus to his son Bellerophon who put Pegasus to good use in his famous battle with the Chimaera.

More about: Pegasus

Timeline

c. 700 BCE
Greek poet Hesiod writes his Theogony and Works and Days.
c. 650 BCE
Pegasus first appears on Greek pottery decoration.
c. 580 BCE
The west pediment of the temple of Artemis in Corcyra depicts Medusa and Pegasus.