Pegasus (,
Pegasos;
Latin:
Pegasus) is one of the best known creatures in
Greek mythology. He is a winged divine stallion usually depicted as pure white in color. He was sired by
Poseidon, in his role as horse-god, and foaled by the
Gorgon Medusa. He was the brother of
Chrysaor, born at a single birthing when his mother was decapitated by
Perseus. Greco-Roman poets write about his ascent to heaven after his birth and his obeisance to
Zeus, king of the gods, who instructed him to bring lightning and thunder from Olympus. Friend of the Muses, Pegasus is the creator of
Hippocrene, the fountain on
Mt. Helicon. He was captured by the Greek hero
Bellerophon near the fountain Peirene with the help of Athena and Poseidon. Pegasus allows the hero to ride him to defeat a monster, the Chimera, before realizing many other exploits. His rider, however, falls off his back trying to reach Mount Olympus. Zeus transformed him into the constellation
Pegasus and placed him up in the sky. Hypotheses have been proposed regarding its relationship with the
Muses, the gods
Athena,
Poseidon,
Zeus,
Apollo, and the hero
Perseus 
