Pegasos
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Pegasos, the majestic winged horse, is one of the most famous creatures in Greek mythology, known for his association with both the gods and great heroes. According to myth, Pegasos was born from the blood of Medusa, the Gorgon, when the hero Perseus beheaded her. As Medusa’s head was severed, Pegasos sprang forth from her neck, along with another creature, Chrysaor, who was a giant and warrior. Pegasos’ birth was a miraculous event, symbolizing the power of transformation and the supernatural forces at work in Greek mythology.
Pegasos is best known for his role as the steed of the hero Bellerophon. Bellerophon, a mortal prince, was tasked with slaying the fearsome monster Chimera, a creature with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and a serpent’s tail. Pegasos, as the divine winged horse, helped Bellerophon achieve this feat by allowing him to fly above the Chimera, making it impossible for the creature to strike him. The partnership between Bellerophon and Pegasos is often depicted as one of the most iconic duos in Greek myth, combining the strength of a hero with the divine attributes of the horse.
Despite Pegasos’ association with heroism, his story took a tragic turn. After Bellerophon attempted to ride Pegasos to Mount Olympus, the home of the gods, he was struck down by Zeus, who sent a gadfly to sting the horse and cause him to buck his rider off. Bellerophon fell to the earth, and Pegasos, once again, flew alone. In some versions of the myth, Pegasos was later taken to Olympus by Zeus, where he became a companion of the gods. He was given the task of carrying Zeus’ thunderbolts, becoming a symbol of divine power and authority.
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