Bellerophon and the winged horse Pegasus
Bellerophon, Pegasus, and Athena, fresco of the 3rd style from Pompeii, first half of the 1st century
The fresco depicting Bellerophon, Pegasus, and Athena is from the first half of the 1st century AD and was discovered in Pompeii. It belongs to the third style of Pompeian wall painting, which is characterized by its ornate and intricate designs featuring delicate linear and floral motifs.
In the fresco, Bellerophon is shown with his trusted companion, the winged horse Pegasus, who was said to have been born from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, stands beside Bellerophon, extending her hand to offer him a spear.
According to Greek mythology, Bellerophon was a hero who tamed Pegasus and used him to defeat the monstrous Chimera, a creature with the body of a lion, the head of a goat, and the tail of a serpent.
In the fresco, Bellerophon is shown wearing some kind of red cape, while the goddess Athena can be seen wielding a shield (i.e. an aegis).