Pegasus, in Greek legend, the winged horse of the Muses. He arose from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa when she was slain by Perseus. The myth of Pegasus is connected with that of Bellerophon. When the latter was considering how to meet the monster Chimaera, he was advised to sleep in the temple of Minerva. The goddess gave him a golden bridle, which, on awakening, he found controlled Pegasus. He mounted the steed and overcame the monster. Bellerophon became too much elated over his victory, so Jupiter sent a gadfly to sting Pegasus. The horse threw its rider, who became lame and blind in consequence. Hippocrene, the inspiring spring of the Muses on Mount Helicon, was created by a kick from the hoof of Pegasus.
