The story of Pegasus begins in tragedy. When the hero Perseus severed the head of Medusa, the Gorgon, drops of her blood fell into the sea foam. From this mixture of blood and ocean, a magnificent creature sprang forth: a pure white horse with powerful eagle wings. He was wild, beautiful, and free.
For a long time, Pegasus roamed the skies of Greece alone. He was a creature of the gods, untamed by any mortal. Many tried to capture the flying horse, hoping to harness its power, but Pegasus was too fast. He would land only briefly on Mount Helicon to drink from the sacred springs.
Enter Bellerophon, a young prince in exile. Like many heroes in Greek mythology stories, Bellerophon was seeking redemption. He had a dream: to ride the winged horse. However, wise men told him it was impossible. No man could tame the sky.
Bellerophon did not give up. He slept in the temple of Athena, praying for help. Impressed by his determination, the goddess appeared in his dream. She gave him a golden bridle (a harness) that shimmered with magic. 'Show him this,' she whispered, 'and the beast will yield.'
Bellerophon found Pegasus drinking at a spring. Instead of using force, the hero approached slowly, holding out the golden bridle. The magic calmed the wild Greek myth creature. Pegasus bowed his head, allowing Bellerophon to slip the bridle on. Man and beast were now bonded.
Bellerophon surrounded Pegasus to the kingdom of Lycia. The King of Lycia, wanting to get rid of the young hero, sent him on a suicide mission. He ordered Bellerophon to kill the Chimera, a monster that was terrifying the land. The King was certain they would not return.
The Chimera was a nightmare even by the standards of mythology stories. It had the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and a tail that was a venomous snake. Worst of all, it breathed scorching fire. He lived in a high canyon where no soldier could reach him.
Bellerophon knew he couldn't fight the Chimera on the ground—he would be burned alive. But he had Pegasus. The pair soared high above the canyon. This creates one of the most cinematic battles in ancient legends. The Chimera roared and snapped its jaws, but it could not reach the sky.
The Chimera breathed a column of fire at them. Bellerophon felt the heat but guided Pegasus with skill. He has attached a block of lead to the tip of his spear. Diving down like a hawk, he thrust the spear directly into the Chimera's open, fiery throat.
The heat of the beast's breath melted the lead instantly. The molten metal trickled down the monster's throat, suffocating the fire and killing the beast. Bellerophon and Pegasus landed victorious. They had achieved the impossible. The story of Pegasus became a legend across Greece.
The King, shocked that they survived, sent them on more missions. He sent them to fight the fierce Amazon warriors. Again, the advantage of flight made them invincible. Pegasus swooped and dodged arrows, proving he was the greatest warhorse in history.
Success is dangerous. Bellerophon began to believe he was equal to the gods. He grew arrogant. 'Why should I live among mortals?' I thought. 'I belong on Mount Olympus with Zeus.' This moment of Hubris (excessive pride) links this tale to the story of Icarus.
Bellerophon urged Pegasus to fly higher than ever before. They pierced the clouds, aiming for the home of the gods. Zeus, the king of gods, looked down and was not pleased. He could not allow a mortal to enter Olympus uninvited.
Zeus sent a tiny gadfly (a biting insect) to sting Pegasus. The fly bit the horse's flank. Startled by the pain, Pegasus buckled wildly in mid-air. Bellerophon lost his grip. The hero fell thousands of feet to the earth, landing in a thorn bush. He survived but was crippled and blinded, wandering alone until he died.
Pegasus, now free of his rider, continued flying up to Olympus. Zeus welcomed the horse. Pegasus spent the rest of eternity carrying Zeus's lightning bolts across the sky. Finally, he was placed in the night sky as a constellation, ensuring the story of Pegasus would shine forever.
