A Portrait of the Horse in Antiquity

Obverse Previous Next List Contents	Pegasus in Flight on a Stater of Corinth The winged horse Pegasus appears on the reverse of this Corinthian stater. In Greek mythology, Pegasus was the son of Poseidon and the gorgon Medusa. According to the story, it was impossible for any mortal to catch Pegasus. With the help of Athena, who gave him a golden bridle in a dream, the hero Bellerophon caught and tamed the mighty creature.
	Pegasus helped Bellerophon on many of his heroic labors and adventures until Bellerophon decided one day to visit the gods on Olympus. Because of Bellerophon's arrogance, the winged horse threw the hero off and abandoned him.