Web Theoi
PEGASOS AITHIOPIKOS
 
Greek Name Transliteration Latin Spelling

Translation

PhgasoV AiqiopikoV
Phgasoi Aiqiopikoi
Pegasos Aithiopikos
Pegasoi Aithiopikoi
Pegasus Aethipicus
Pegasi Aethipici
Ethiopian Pegasus
Ethiopian Pegasus, Der Naturen Bloeme manuscript c. 1350, National Library of the Netherlands
Ethiopian Pegasus, Der Naturen Bloeme manuscript
c. 1350, National Library of the Netherlands

THE PEGASOI AITHIOPES were a tribe of winged, horned horses native to Aithiopia (Sub-Saharan Africa).

The famous Pegasos horse of myth was himself said to have been born near Aithiopia, on the Red Sea island of Erytheia.


Pliny the Elder, Natural History 8. 72 (trans. Rackham) (Roman encyclopedia C1st A.D.) :
"Aethiopia produces . . . many monstrosities--[including] winged horses armed with horns, called Pegasi."


Sources:

  • Pliny the Elder, Natural History - Latin Natural History C1st A.D.