13 Famous List Of Horses In Greek Mythology And Folklore

Why do horses play such a big role in Greek myths? Horses weren’t just animals. They had divine roles, symbolizing power and even acting as powerful forces in nature. Pegasus had wings, and his flight created springs tied to poetry. The Trojan Horse was a clever trick that changed a war. Their roles varied greatly. Some pulled the sun, while others served in war.

Poseidon’s horses stirred up storms in the sea. Helios’ horses dragged the sun chariot, and when Phaethon lost control, they burned the earth. In battle, they carried heroes like Achilles. His horses, Xanthos and Balius, were special – they could weep for the dead. But horses weren’t always noble. Some represented chaos, like Diomedes’ mares that ate humans. Others, like Demeter’s shape-shifting Areion, stood for fertility.

Each story shows something about Greek values – courage, trickery, or wild nature. Whether you’re new to myths or know them well, these tales go far beyond just speed and strength.

List Of Horses In Greek Mythology And Folklore: Overview and Key Facts

Name	Divine/Owner	Key Traits	Mythological Role	Notes
Pegasus	Born from Medusa	Had wings, could not die, and made magical springs appear	Carried the hero Bellerophon and later became a symbol in poetry	Some stories claim he was born when Medusa’s blood mixed with sea foam.
Arion	Demeter/Poseidon	Ran faster than any normal horse and lived forever	Won races for the gods and rescued heroes in danger	Often shown with a dark mane and tied to rituals for good harvests.
Xanthos	Achilles	Could talk and predict the future	Fought in battles and cried when Patroclus died	His name means “golden,” and he was the brother of Balius.
Balius	Achilles	Also spoke and was immortal	Fought alongside Xanthos and shared his visions	His name means “dappled,” and his mother was the harpy Podarge.
Hippocamps	Poseidon	Had the front of a horse and the tail of a fish	Pulled Poseidon’s chariot and controlled the sea	Their name means “horse monsters,” and they inspired seahorse myths.
Diomedes’ Mares	King Diomedes	Ate humans and were extremely violent	Killed by Heracles as part of his eighth labor	Some versions say they breathed fire, and they represented the dangers of unchecked power.
Aethon	Helios	Could not die and had flames around it	Helped pull the sun chariot across the sky	One of four horses, and its name means “blazing.”
Phlegon	Helios	Had a mane that burned and was immortal	Another horse that pulled the sun chariot	Its name means “flaming,” and if driven too hard, it caused droughts.
Areion	Demeter/Heracles	Changed shape and was incredibly fast	Won races and helped kings in battles	Born after Demeter and Poseidon had a child together, linking it to the earth.
Lampon	Dawn (Eos)	Pure white and could not die	Pulled the chariot that brought the dawn	Its name means “bright,” and it had a twin named Phaethon (not the same as Helios’ son).
Podargos	Hector (Iliad)	Extremely fast and valued by warriors	Fought in the Trojan War as a cavalry horse	Unlike divine horses, it was mortal, and its name means “fleet-footed.”
Scylla’s Dogs	Sea monster	Had horse heads but acted like wild dogs	Attacked ships passing through dangerous waters	A rare mix of horse and dog, sometimes shown with horse features.
Trojan Horse	Greeks (Odysseus)	A huge wooden horse used as a trick	Helped Greek soldiers sneak into Troy and win the war	Not a real horse, but one of the most famous myths about deception.

13 Legendary Horses in Greek Mythology and Folklore

Greek myths feature 13 remarkable horses, from godly ones to terrifying creatures. Each has its own important role, so here’s what makes them special.

1. Pegasus: The Winged Divine Steed

When Perseus cut off Medusa’s head, something unusual occurred. From her blood came Pegasus, the winged horse, and his brother Chrysaor. Hesiod’s Theogony states they were born as complete beings, with Pegasus flying straight to the sky. Some stories say Poseidon, who was Medusa’s lover, helped create him. This explains why Pegasus had connections to both sea and sky.

Pegasus was an important divine horse whose hooves could make springs appear. He became famous as Bellerophon’s trusted mount. Because he had Athena’s golden bridle, they achieved many great things together:

• Killed the fire-breathing Chimera
• Fought and beat the Amazon warriors
• Defeated the Solymoi tribe

However, their partnership ended when Bellerophon’s arrogance made him try to fly to Olympus. Pegasus, who stayed loyal to the gods, threw Bellerophon off.

After helping heroes, Pegasus joined the Olympian gods. His most famous creation was the Hippocrene Spring on Mount Helicon, which became sacred to poets. Today we remember Pegasus for:

• Representing poetic inspiration
• Symbolizing heroic goals
• Showing divine approval

His image appeared on many Greek coins and temples, connecting human accomplishments with godly power.

2. Arion: The Fastest Immortal Horse

Arion has unusual beginnings in Greek myth. Poseidon and Demeter, who changed themselves into horses to escape danger, became his parents. This special heritage gave Arion incredible speed and the ability to speak like humans. Some versions say the earth goddess Gaia created him instead, showing his connection to the underworld. Ancient Corinthians respected Arion so much they put his image on their coins.

He was known as the fastest immortal horse, famous for saving King Adrastus during the Siege of Thebes. When all other warriors died, Arion ran fast enough to escape with the king. Because of his divine nature, Arion’s speed meant more than just running quickly. It showed how gods could interfere in human events, connecting the mortal world with the divine.

Stories about Arion continued through generations, with some claiming even Heracles rode him during certain adventures.

3. Aethon: Helios’ Fiery Sun Horse

Aethon (meaning “Blazing”) was one of four immortal horses that pulled Helios’ sun chariot across the sky each day. His coat gave off extreme heat from the sun, and he worked alongside Pyrois, Phlegon, and Eous. Ancient writers describe how these horses became difficult to manage when Phaethon, Helios’ mortal son, tried to drive the chariot, which burned the earth below.

These divine horses represented powerful natural forces rather than ordinary animals. Aethon specifically stood for the intense heat of noon, and his power could destroy crops if the chariot came too near the ground. This story explained why some regions became dry and barren.

4. Poseidon’s Sea Horses: Makers of Storms and Waves

When Poseidon first established his rule over the seas, supernatural horses formed from the foam on the waves. These creatures had see-through bodies that reflected light, with white foamy manes and hooves that never touched the ocean bottom. Ancient writers described them as direct representations of the ocean’s power. In contrast to normal horses, they breathed salty mist instead of air. Their vocal sounds could be heard within storm winds.

When they ran across the water, waves formed beneath them, and when they rose up, tidal waves hit the shore.

Poseidon’s sea horses served as both transportation and powerful weapons. When he cracked his golden whip, they could:

• Make the ocean completely calm for sailors he favored
• Create enormous waves to destroy ships
• Cause earthquakes by striking the seafloor

One notable account describes their role in the Odyssey, where Poseidon used them to create the storm that almost killed Odysseus. These horses showed the sea’s two sides – both helpful and dangerous – matching Poseidon’s unpredictable nature.

5. Zeus’ Storm Horses and the Forces of Nature

Zeus’ chariot was pulled by four stallions that created thunder when they moved. Unlike Poseidon’s sea horses, these came directly from primordial chaos. Their appearance changed between horse shapes and actual storm clouds.

Ancient sources describe their manes as dark rain clouds that could create weather systems when they breathed. As Zeus prepared for battle, their loud calls echoed through Olympus as a warning before he acted. Although these horses had no names, they worked with Zeus’ other powers:

• Astrape (Lightning Bolt) – Appeared as sudden flashes from their hooves
• Bronte (Thunder) – Resulted from their movement across the sky

These horses represented controlled storm patterns, different from the chaotic ocean storms. During the Titanomachy, their combined strength helped Zeus overcome the Titans by creating powerful storms. Farmers in Greece often listened for their distant sounds to predict approaching weather, recognizing them as both dangerous and beneficial natural forces.

6. Lampus and Phaethon: Eos’ Dawn Bringers

Before Helios’ sun chariot appeared each morning, Eos’ divine horses Lampus (“Shining”) and Phaethon (“Blazing”) would move quickly through the sky in their rose-gold chariot. Their bright hooves scattered the stars and created light across the horizon at dawn. These immortal horses had reflective coats and manes that glowed with morning light, restoring color to the world after darkness.

According to ancient Greek belief, their running established the day’s rhythm, with Lampus showing the early dawn light and Phaethon representing the stronger golden light before sunrise. In contrast to Helios’ powerful sun horses that followed them, Eos’ team moved with smooth coordination. Their hoofbeats matched the sounds of birds singing at daybreak.

7. Xanthos and Balius: Achilles’ Faithful War Horses

Xanthos (“Blonde”) and Balius (“Dappled”) were the offspring of the Harpy Podarge and the West Wind Zephyrus. These horses were not normal war steeds. Their divine parentage gave them eternal life, exceptional speed, and prophetic abilities. Homer wrote about their bronze-like coats that shone in daylight and their ability to pull Achilles’ chariot through intense battle chaos without tiring. They understood Achilles perfectly, charging into fights without needing reins.

Throughout the Trojan War, they carried Achilles in major battles, their hooves creating visible dust clouds across Ilium’s plains. They saw Patroclus die while wearing Achilles’ armor and lived through the combat where Achilles got revenge. One remarkable event occurred in Book 19 of the Iliad, when Hera let Xanthos speak. The golden-maned horse warned Achilles about his coming death, which was unusual in Greek myths.

While immortal themselves, they served the mortal Achilles, who was fated to die young. Some stories say they stopped eating and died from sadness after Achilles’ death, while others claim they went back to serving gods. Their story shows both the successes and losses of heroic warfare. Archaeologists found evidence that Greek soldiers often buried their horses with honor, proving these myths reflected real cultural beliefs.

8. The Trojan Horse: Athena’s Clever Trick

The Trojan Horse was a famous trick that helped end the ten-year siege of Troy. This 25-foot wooden structure secretly held selected Greek soldiers, a plan created by Odysseus and approved by Athena. According to Virgil’s Aeneid, Athena inspired the design which Epeius built from carefully fitted fir planks that showed no visible seams. The Greeks pretended to sail away.

They left the wooden horse outside Troy’s gates as an apparent religious offering with an inscription to Athena. The trick worked because large horse offerings were common in ancient warfare, though never before used for military deception.

Inside the hidden compartment waited some of Greece’s best fighters who were chosen for this dangerous task. Ancient records mention several important participants:

• Odysseus: The plan’s creator
• Menelaus: Determined to recover Helen
• Neoptolemus: Son of Achilles seeking revenge
• Diomedes: Experienced in night attacks
• Philoctetes: Carried Heracles’ powerful bow

After night came and the Trojans celebrated their supposed victory, these soldiers opened the city gates. The Trojan Horse remains important as both a smart military tactic and a warning example about trusting unexpected gifts, reflecting Greek values of cleverness over simple strength.

9. Lampos and Xanthos: Hector’s Brave Battle Horses [Distinct from Eos’ Lampus]

Lampos (“Shining”) and Xanthos (“Golden”) were highly valued in Troy. These bright red stallions came from King Priam’s royal herds and received special war training, making them ideal for the city’s best warrior. Homer wrote about their bronze armor clanking as they pulled Hector powerfully through battles. While not divine like Olympian horses, they showed exceptional stamina and bravery. When Hector fought his final battle against Achilles, they waited nearby.

One notable moment in the Iliad describes them producing tears when Achilles dragged Hector’s body. Ancient audiences would have understood this as proof of their noble nature. After the war, some stories say the Greeks took them, while others claim they refused food in mourning. Their loyalty remained strong even after their master died.

10. Diomedes’ Mares: The Man-Eating Monsters

King Diomedes of Thrace owned four dangerous horses named Podagros (“The Swift”), Lampon (“The Glowing”), Xanthos (“The Blonde”), and Deinos (“The Terrible”). These horses had traces of human flesh on their bronze muzzles after feeding. King Diomedes fed them prisoners and guests, which made them unnaturally strong.

Some ancient stories suggest the war god Ares might have been their father, explaining their violent nature and unusual power. People described their red eyes visible in dark stables and sparks flying when their iron hooves hit stone floors. While most mythical horses represented noble qualities, these showed nature’s dangerous side. For his eighth labor, Heracles had to capture them, either by feeding Diomedes to his own horses or wrestling them directly.

The table below shows their main features:

Name	Meaning	Notable Characteristics
Podagros	“The Swift”	Extremely fast
Lampon	“The Glowing”	Brightly glowing eyes at night
Xanthos	“The Blonde”	Golden mane covered in dried blood
Deinos	“The Terrible”	Could bite through metal armor

Once Heracles captured them, some versions say they became normal horses on Olympus. Others claim wild animals ate them on the mountain. Their story warned about the risks of disrupting nature’s balance and using extreme cruelty.

11. Ares’ War Horses: Fear and Fire

Hesiod’s Theogony identifies Ares’ four horses as Phobos (Fear), Deimos (Terror), Konabos (Tumult), and Aithon (Blazing). These horses symbolized war’s destructive nature. They pulled Ares’ chariot with smoke coming from their nostrils and sparks from their hooves. The horses did more than transport the war god. Their presence made enemies drop weapons and break formation due to panic. Ancient sources mention their bright glowing eyes and loud, disturbing neighs.

Their metal hooves crushed both living soldiers and dead bodies without stopping. While Zeus’ horses showed order and Poseidon’s came from the sea, Ares’ team represented war’s violent side. Ancient artwork depicts them stepping on broken weapons and armor. Foam came from their mouths, completing the image of unstoppable war violence.

12. The Erytheian Horses: Geryon’s Sacred Herd

Geryon’s special herd of red-maned horses lived on the island of Erytheia. The three-bodied Geryon and his two-headed dog Orthrus guarded them, showing these were no ordinary animals. Some traditions suggest they descended from Echidna, making them divine creatures with unusual strength and intelligence. These horses were sacred to Hera and had a metallic red color.

Ancient sources describe them as larger and more beautiful than normal horses, with tireless stamina and remarkable cleverness that made them extremely difficult to catch. Besides their excellent physical traits, they held religious importance as symbols of western wealth and Olympian power. For his tenth labor, Heracles had to steal these horses along with Geryon’s cattle.

First killing Orthrus, then the herdsman Eurytion, and finally Geryon himself with one arrow through all three bodies, Heracles successfully drove the herd back to Greece. Some stories say they were sacrificed to Hera, while others claim they became breeding stock for royal stables.

Their story shows both the challenges Heracles faced and the remarkable treasures that existed at the edges of the Greek world. The image of these bright-colored horses on their western island remains one of mythology’s most memorable divine animal stories.

13. Areion: Demeter’s Magical Horse

Areion was born when Poseidon and Demeter changed into horse forms. This immortal black-maned stallion had extraordinary abilities that made him remarkable compared to other divine horses. He could run on water without sinking, as he proved when saving King Adrastus during the Seven Against Thebes campaign. The horse understood human speech and, according to Arcadian traditions, grew wings at full speed.

Ancient sources say he came out of the ground when Demeter struck the earth with her staff during her search while grieving for Persephone. This made him one of the few horses linked to the Eleusinian Mysteries. The stories about him combine Poseidon’s connection to horses with Demeter’s underworld associations.

Different accounts claim various fates for Areion – some say he became a constellation, while Arcadian cults believed he returned underground and only appeared during emergencies. His legend shows how Greek mythology connected different domains through magical creatures.

FAQs

1. What do horses symbolize in Greek mythology?

Horses symbolize divine power, heroic destiny, and primal chaos in Greek mythology.

2. How do Greek mythic horses differ from Norse ones?

Greek mythic horses differ from Norse ones primarily in symbolism, with Greek steeds like Pegasus representing divine transcendence and natural forces, whereas Norse horses such as Sleipnir embody war and cosmic travel.

3. Were any Greek horses considered evil?

Greek horses considered evil include Diomedes’ man-eating mares, symbolizing gluttony and primal chaos.

4. Which gods were most associated with horses?

The gods most associated with horses were Poseidon, Helios, and Ares.