Xanthus
Immortal horse of Achilles gifted with speech who prophesied his master's death at Troy
The Myth of Xanthus
Xanthus was one of the two immortal horses of Achilles, brother of Balius, born of Zephyrus the West Wind and the harpy Podarge. Like his brother, Xanthus was supernaturally swift and understood human affairs far beyond any mortal horse. When Achilles harnessed his horses before battle and bitterly reproached them for failing to save Patroclus, the goddess Hera temporarily granted Xanthus the power of speech. The horse bowed his head, his mane touching the ground, and told Achilles that the day of his death was drawing near, and that it was a god and cruel fate who had slain Patroclus, not any failing of his horses. He warned that Achilles too would be brought down by a god and a mortal man. The Erinyes then silenced him, restoring the natural order. This is one of the most haunting scenes in the Iliad.
Parents
Zephyrus and Podarge
Symbols
Explore Further
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🐉 creatureSpeed, immortality
One of the two immortal horses of Achilles, born of the West Wind and the harpy Podarge
Arion
🐉 creatureSpeed, divinity
Supernaturally fast divine horse born from Poseidon and Demeter, later ridden by the hero Adrastus
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🐉 creatureWinged divine horse
The immortal winged horse that sprang from the blood of Medusa when Perseus beheaded her. Pegasus was tamed by Bellerophon and later became a constellation.
Pegasus
🐉 creatureFlight, heroism
Winged divine horse born from the blood of Medusa who carried Bellerophon against the Chimaera
Pegasus
🐉 creatureWinged horse of inspiration
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🗡 heroprophecy
Trojan priest of Apollo who warned against the wooden horse and was killed with his sons by sea serpents.
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🐉 creaturesky,horses
The winged horse born from Medusa's blood when Perseus decapitated her, later tamed by Bellerophon and used to kill the Chimera, before ascending to become a constellation.
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🗡 heroHorses, Hybris, Divine Punishment
Corinthian king and charioteer who fed his mares on human flesh; they devoured him during the funeral games of Pelias.
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🐉 creaturespirits
Invisible horse-frightening spirits that haunted specific turns in Greek hippodrome racecourses
Rhesus
🗡 herofate
Thracian king who brought white horses to Troy and was killed in his sleep by Odysseus and Diomedes on his first night.
Mopsus
🗡 heroprophecy
Son of Manto and grandson of Tiresias who defeated the great seer Calchas in a divination contest, causing Calchas to die.