Arion was an ancient Greek mythical creature that took the form of a giant, extremely swift horse. Arion was endowed with both eternal life and the ability to speak.
By some accounts Arion was born from a union of the Sea god Poseidon in the form of a stallion and the Earth goddess Demeter in the form of a Fury. Other accounts attribute the birth of Arion to the Earth goddess Gaia. Yet another story has it that Arion was the product of a union between Zephyrus, god of the West Wind, and a Harpy.
Arion in Myths and Stories
In the myth of Heracles, Heracles takes Arion from Oncus, a son of Apollo who raised horses in a grove near the ocean. Demeter had been hiding there from Poseidon but Poseidon found her and sired Arion. Arion then ran with the herd.
Having obtained Arion from Oncus, Heracles then rode Arion during the war against the Eleans. Because of Arion, Heracles did win that war. Afterward Heracles gave Arion to Adrastus, King of Argos, who over time became the immortal horse’s most famous owner.
Arion intervened on behalf of Adrastus during the defeat of the Argives, making Adrastus the only Argive leader to survive. During this same battle the brothers Eteocles and Polynices killed each other over who would claim the throne at Thebes.
Arion in Ancient Greek Literature
In the Iliad, Homer says of Arion:
“… there is no man that shall catch thee by a burst of speed, neither pass thee by, nay, not though in pursuit he were driving goodly Arion, the swift horse of Adrastus, that was of heavenly stock …”
Also from the Iliad:
“… there is no man that shall catch thee by a burst of speed, neither pass thee by, nay, not though in pursuit he were driving goodly Arion, the swift horse of Adrastus, that was of heavenly stock …”
Arion is often pictured as a horse with wings, and according to Hesiod who wrote the Shield of Heracles, Arion had a black mane.
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