Pegasus is one of the most magical and famed beings in classical mythology: the offspring of the snake-haired Gorgon Medusa who sprang from her neck after Perseus beheaded her. You can learn more about the birth of Pegasus here, and read about the origins of Medusa and her fatal encounter with Perseus here. Pegasus’ brother was Chrysaor, who is alternately described as a winged boar or a giant bearing a golden sword. The figure of Pegasus, in contrast, remains clear: a spectacular horse who can fly through the air, create streams with the stamp of his foot, and remains immortalized in the stars. The British Museum has over 2000 objects related to or depicting Pegasus, which you can view here.

With the help of Athena, goddess of horses, it was Bellerophon who briefly tamed Pegasus. On the surface, the prince of Corinth and heir to the throne, seemed to have it all. But he craved thrilling battles and heroic glory – and for that, he needed a trusty steed who would help him excel in his adventures. You can learn more about his story and his family here. Bellerophon and Pegasus also make appearances in Homer’s Iliad, Pindar’s Olympian, and Apollodorus’ Library. 

Together, Pegasus and Bellerophon defeated the Chimera – an ancient monster who refers, today, to a range of hybrid creatures – as well as bands of fearsome warriors. Buoyed by his successes, Bellerophon’s sense of hubris reached new heights. But like others before him from Icarus to Phaethon, he was mistaken to believe himself invincible, and plummeted to his death. Ultimately Bellerophon’s story is a tale of inflated heroism – but it is Pegasus who ultimately surpasses the foibles of human nature. 

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