Pegasus, the beautiful winged horse of Greek mythology, was born in violence. His sire was the god of the sea, Poseidon. His mother was the gorgon Medusa.
The story that unfolds is a tale of lust, envy and pride.
Medusa rivaled the goddess Athena in beauty. Medusa's pride was her mane of golden curls. Athena envied her beauty.
Poseidon, the brother of Zeus and Hades, ruled the sea, storms, earth and horses. He was violent, lusty and self centered.
Poseidon saw the beautiful Medusa worshipping in the temple of Athena. Captivated by her sweet face and glorious, golden ringlets, Poseidon seduced and raped Medusa in the temple. The chaste Athena averted her eyes, but envious of Medusa's beauty and angered by the desecration of her temple, Athena enacted her revenge on Medusa by turning her face ugly and her curls to snakes. She cursed Medusa so that anyone looking upon her would be turned to stone.
A young hero named Perseus was the son of Danae, a king's daughter, and Zeus, the god of all the gods. Wanting Danae for his wife, King Polydectes devised a ruse to send Perseus to his death. He sent Perseus to kill Medusa expecting the lad himself to be killed. Zeus realizing this, sent Athena and Hermes to help Perseus in the attempt. With their help he was successful.
Perseus cut off the head of Medusa. As he was putting the head into his knapsack he saw an amazing birth. A tiny winged horse and Chrysaor, his brother, sprang from the blood flowing from the neck of Medusa.
The winged horse flew to Mount Helicon, home of the nine muses. The magical and playful horse lived free. He helped the muses, even creating Hippocrene a gushing, magical spring for them.
The Greek hero Bellerophon captured the winged horse with a magical golden bridle given to him by Athena. He rode Pegasus to slay the monster Chimera.
Bellerophon desired to fly to Mount Olympus, home of the gods. This angered Zeus and he send a fly to bite the flying horse. The horse bolted and Bellerophon was thrown. The winged horse continued his flight alone. His task was to carry the thunderbolts of Zeus across the sky.
Pegasus can be seen grazing in the night sky. Look for the 4 bright stars forming a square and the stars that form the bend of his neck.
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