Pegasus is
one of the best known creatures in Greek mythology. He is a winged divine
stallion usually depicted as pure white in color. He was sired by Poseidon, in
his role as horse-god, and foaled by the Gorgon Medusa. He was the brother of Chrysaor,
born at a single birthing when his mother was decapitated by Perseus.
Greco-Roman poets write about his ascent to heaven after his birth and his
obeisance to Zeus, king of the gods, who instructed him to bring lightning and
thunder from Olympus. Friend of the Muses, Pegasus is the creator of Hippocrene,
the fountain on Mt. Helicon. He was captured by the Greek hero Bellerophon near
the fountain Peirene with the help of Athena and Poseidon. Pegasus allows the
hero to ride him to defeat a monster, the Chimera, before realizing many other
exploits. His rider, however, falls off his back trying to reach Mount Olympus.
Zeus transformed him into the constellation Pegasus and placed him up in the
sky.
