Scenario
Pegasus’ Bridle
Pindar’s 13th Olympian Ode follows the journey of the hero Bellerophon and his mighty steed. He was blessed by the gods in many ways, from his physical appearance, to recieveing aid for taming the majestic Pegasus, who was born from the death and blood of the petrifying Gorgon, Medusa.
During a sparring session, the hero ends up killing his brother. Tormented by guilt, he wanted to atone for what he did. His grandfather, King Proetus of Argos, sent Bellerophon away with false charges. King Proetus requested King Iobates of Lycia to put his grandson to the sword. King Iobates refused to kill him, so he set the hero with impossible tasks, one being to kill the ferocious Chimera. Since Pegasus was with him, Bellerophon was at an advantage and put the fire breathing creature to rest. He went on to fight many more battles, the notable ones being his victory over the Solymi tribe of Mount Taurus, and the mighty Amazon warriors. He was triumphant wherever he went and as a result, was blinded with arrogance and pride. Bellerophon now thought that he deserved a seat in the heavens and attempted to fly up on the back of Pegasus. The gods seeing this were not pleased and sent a gadfly which stung Pegasus, bucking Bellerophon off. He fell, becoming blind and crippled, and suffered the rest of his days until his final breath.
The allegory of the story is “don't get too ahead of yourself”. There are also variations saying a similar message; “avoid hubris” and “you can be a hero but don't challenge the gods”. Bellerophon’s demise is because of his delusion, thinking he could be something more than he was. This helped me to consider a negative part of human nature and maybe consequences of that.
Initially, he still had a clear conscience and thought of his actions wrong, wanting to redeem himself. Over time, after many victories, he became corrupt and we dont see this sincereity. Maybe translating these two distinct feelings, portraying his internal condition becoming his physical downfall.
Swans wings have a lovely form, as well as the swan being an elegant bird that migrates through weather conditions.
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References
(
) A good example of dynamism and showing chaotic conflict.
(below) a literal depiction of the hero on pegasus and fighting the Chimera.
Falcons are powerful fliers and I thought that reflects Pegasus’ presence and might.
a
) A depiction of Saint Paul falling off of his horse when the God made him blind because he persecuted his people.
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) Depicitng a scene the from the story of Phaeton, similarly with the allegory of pride and lack of moderation.
(left) This work has really strong symbolism, from the characters, to the small details within the painting. It carries a depth in reference to a narrative.
Architecture of Lycia, old stone homes, Ancient vibe
) Pegasus is often depicted as
white stallion with wings.
Old Mediteranean Coastal Township
Chimera on mountain Turkish Mountain Scape
left
(below) A small crop of a painting showing the speculated landscpape of where the Hero fought the Chimera.
left
(above
The Conversation of Saint Paul (1600) Carrvaigo
The Allegory of Abundance (1620~) Jan Brueghel the Younger and Ambrosius Francken the Younger
The Fall of Phaeton (1605) Peter Rubens
In a variety of depictions, it says that Pegasus was born from the blood of the dead gorgon Medusa who was slayed by the hero Perseus.
Pegasus
With the help of the gods, Bellrophon tames Pegasus.
Story Diagram
Bellerophon is a Corinthian hero descended from the great founder of Corinth, Sisyphus.
Kills Brother
During a sparing session Bellerophon kills his btrother.
King Proetus
The King sends Bellerophon away with false charges of trying to seduce his wife. He sends him to King Iobates of Lycia
The King could not kill him because of their family relationship
King Iobates
King Iobates does not kill Bellerophon because in his kingdom it was customary to look after the guest
Lycia was located along the Mediterranean coast between Caria and Pamphylia.
King Iobates is relative of King Proetus throug marriage.
The Chimera is a creature with the head and of a body of a lion, with a protuding head of a goat, and a the tail of a serpent.
the Chimera
He could have just died from the impact but somehow he survives. It wasn’t an instant death.
Could have been mercilessly killed.
Could have been mercilessly killed by the King. He could have been sent away to a differnt kingdom.
He could have maybe become a slave, and maybe never have the freedom he had as a hero.
He was tasked with defeating the Chimera with a polearm.
The Chimera could have killed the hero and Pegasus.
Solymi on Mount Taurus
Bellerophon went to war with the Solymi tribe of Mount Taurus and was victorious.
Arrogance
His heart becomes arrogant, thinking he deserves a seat in heaven with the gods
Punished
The gods were not pleased and sent a gadfly which stung Pegasus causing Bellerophon to fall off, becoming crippled and blind from the fall.
The amazons
Bellerophon went to war with female Amazon Warriors somewhere near the Black Sea and was victorious.
He could have continued to be a valiant hero doing great deeds for the people,
There was a high chance that he could have been killed.
It is not explicit if he faced his enemies alone or with an army.
There was a high chance that he could have been killed.
It is not explicit if he faced his enemies alone or with an army.
It is depicted as a shameful demise of a hero and is something to be reflected on. He lived like this for the rest of his life until he died.
