The
mythical horse Pegasus is familiar to modern audiences. In Greek myths,
Pegasus shows different relationships of Posidon and Athena to the horse.
This godlike horse is the baby of Poseidon and Medusa, full
brother to the monster Chrysaor. When the Greek hero Perseus slays Medusa,
her children are born from the blood of her severed head, a testament to Poseidon's
power. The magnificent white horse can only be taken with Athena's
aid, emphasizing her role as patron of horsemanship. She sends a dream
to Bellerophon, in it granting him the bit and bridle(often made of gold
that can tame Pegasus). Bellerrophon finds Pegasus and bridles him. He rides
Pegasus against many foes most notably, the Chimaera, a beast developed
from the bodies of a lion, a goat, and a snake. Bellerophon uses Pegasus
in an attempt to fly to the summit of Mount Olympus. The Greek hero is thrown
from the horse by the gods, but Pegasus remains on the mountain. Pegasus's
tale ends when he is placed in the stars as the constellation that bears
his name.
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