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The horse in Greek mythology | Das Pferd in der griechischen Mythology | Le cheval dans la mythologie grecque

DEMETER

As always, Greek myth provides many different accouns. In one story, we are told that the god Poseidon wanted to rape the goddess Demeter. To disguise herself, she transformed herself into a mare. But Poseidon noticed this and transformed into a horse... Depending on the story, Demeter gave birth to a foal. Among the Philigians in Arcadia, we are told by the 2nd-century CE 'travel writer' Pausanias, there was an ancient statue of Demeter with the head and the mane of a horse...
Pausanias: For these reasons, the Phigalians say, they concluded that this cavern was sacred to Demeter and set up in it a wooden image. (8.42.4) The image, they say, was made after this fashion. It was seated on a rock, like to a woman in all respects save the head. She had the head and hair of a horse, and there grew out of her head images of serpents and other beasts. Her tunic reached right to her feet; on one of her hands was a dolphin, on the other a dove. Now why they had the image made after this fashion is plain to any intelligent man who is learned in traditions.
Pausanias tells us that the statue had been destroyed and the people suffered from famine; they went to the Pythian oracle and got this reply:
8.42.6 Azanian Arcadians, acorn-eaters, who dwell In Phigaleia, the cave that hid Deo, who bare a horse, You have come to learn a cure for grievous famine, Who alone have twice been nomads, alone have twice lived on wild fruits.It was Deo who made you cease from pasturing, Deo who made you pasture again sfter being binders of corn and eaters of cakes, because she was deprived of privileges and ancient honors given by men of former times.And soon will she make you eat each other and feed on your children, unless you appease her anger with libations offered by all your people, and adorn with divine honors the nook of the cave.
Further reading: Dietrich, B. (1962). Demeter, Erinys, Artemis. Hermes, 90(2), 129-148. Retrieved March 28, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/4475202

Demeter and Kore in a chariot.... Selinous, c.550-530 BCE
Demeter and Kore in a chariot.... Selinous, c.550-530 BCE

POSEIDON

PEGASUS

CENTAURS // CENTAURES

HEROES...
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