Pegasus
Pegasus was an immortal winged horse in Greek mythology, born from the neck of the evil creature, Medusa, when Perseus beheaded her. It is one of the most known mythological creatures in Greek mythology. It was described as a pure white stallion and was trained and ridden by equestrian Bellerophon and then the Olympian, Zeus. Pegasus' task with Zeus was to fly and gather lightning bolts, as these were Zeus' famous weapons, and was later turned by Zeus into a constellation and put in the skies. Pegasus is possibly one of the most well-known Greek mythological creature, being the foundation on which the idea of the fabled unicorn was created. Also, according to legend, every time a hoof of Pegasus struck the Earth, an inspiring spring burst forth. Such was the story behind a spring upon Muses' Mount Helicon. The spring is known as the Hippocrene, the 'horse spring'.
Pegasus and Bellerophon
Bellerophon was a great equestrian from Corinth, who wanted Pegasus, the great immortal flying horse, for himself. One day, while he was dreaming about adventure, he met Proteus, the early sea-god, and the son of the King of Lycia. They became friends, however, Proteus was very jealous of Bellerophon for his sense of adventure, and ordered him to be killed. He gave Bellerophon a sealed letter to take to his inlaws, so e couldn't read it. In the village he was taking it to, there was a chimaera, a monster with the head of a lion and the tail of a dragon, that was attacking the villagers. Instead of killing Bellerophon straight away, the inlaws told him to go and kill the Chimaera, and because of his sense of adventure, agreed. He went for advice to Polyeidos, who told him he needed Pegasus. Taking Polyeidos; advice, he spent a night in the Goddess Athena's temple bearing many gifts. In return, Athena gave him a golden bridle and the location where Pegasus drinks water.
Waiting in the bushes next to the place Athena told him, he waited for Pegasus to appear. When it did, he jumped on its back and secured the golden bridle. Pegasus fought at first but then realised Bellerophon was a skilled rider, so it relented. Bellerophon, with the help of Pegasus, defeated the Chimaera and became a hero.
Later, Bellerophon tried to fly with Pegasus to Mount Olympus, thinking he could be with the Gods. Zeus got angry, and made him fall of Pegasus, hitting the ground and becoming a cripple. Pegasus lived on with Zeus as his steed and was loyal to its last days.
Waiting in the bushes next to the place Athena told him, he waited for Pegasus to appear. When it did, he jumped on its back and secured the golden bridle. Pegasus fought at first but then realised Bellerophon was a skilled rider, so it relented. Bellerophon, with the help of Pegasus, defeated the Chimaera and became a hero.
Later, Bellerophon tried to fly with Pegasus to Mount Olympus, thinking he could be with the Gods. Zeus got angry, and made him fall of Pegasus, hitting the ground and becoming a cripple. Pegasus lived on with Zeus as his steed and was loyal to its last days.