Winged horse of Greek myth - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Winged horse of Greek myth," is a classic example of a straightforward, knowledge-based entry that frequently appears in crossword puzzles. It calls upon a piece of cultural and mythological literacy that is widely recognized, making it a friendly starting point for many solvers.

Clue Analysis

This is a definitional clue, pure and simple. It breaks down into two parts:

• "Winged horse": This is the primary description of the creature.
• "of Greek myth": This specifies the context or origin story.

There is no wordplay, pun, or anagram here. The clue is asking for the proper name of the specific mythological being that fits this exact description. For experienced solvers, the answer often comes to mind almost instantly.

Thinking Approaches

For a clue like this, the primary solving method is direct recall. The image of a flying horse is iconic, and its name is one of the most famous from Greek mythology.

If the name doesn't immediately surface, a good strategy is to use association:

1. Think of Greek heroes. Who rode a special horse? The hero Bellerophon is most famously associated with this creature.
2. Think of related myths. The creature's origin story involves the hero Perseus and the gorgon Medusa.
3. Use the crossings. Even if you're unsure, getting a few letters from intersecting answers (like a starting 'P' or a central 'G') will almost certainly trigger the correct answer.

Background Context

In Greek mythology, the creature in question is an immortal winged stallion, one of the most recognized figures from ancient lore. According to the myth, he was sired by the sea-god Poseidon and foaled from the neck of the Gorgon Medusa upon her death at the hands of Perseus.

Later, the hero Bellerophon, with the help of a golden bridle from the goddess Athena, captured and tamed the winged horse. Together, they performed many great deeds, most notably defeating the monstrous Chimera. After Bellerophon's fall from pride, the horse ascended to Mount Olympus to serve Zeus and was eventually transformed into a constellation. The story of Pegasus has endured as a symbol of inspiration, poetry, and the heavens.

Conclusion

This clue is a perfect example of an "easy" difficulty rating. It's a direct test of general knowledge that provides a solid, often lengthy, answer to help solvers build momentum and unlock surrounding entries in the puzzle grid. It's a welcome sight for beginners and a quick fill for veterans.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This creature is a famous figure from ancient mythology.
2. Hint 2: It was said to have sprung from the neck of Medusa when she was slain.
3. Hint 3: The hero Bellerophon tamed this steed to help him fight the Chimera.
4. Hint 4: Its name is also used for a constellation in the northern sky.

The answer is PEGASUS.