Taraxippus (nonfiction)

In Greek mythology, the Taraxippus (plural: taraxippoi, "horse disturber", Latin equorum conturbator) was a presence, variously identified as a ghost or dangerous site, blamed for frightening horses at hippodromes throughout Greece.

Some taraxippoi were associated with hero cult or with Poseidon in his aspect as a god of horses (Poseidon Hippios) who brought about the death of Hippolytus.

Pausanias, the ancient source offering the greatest number of explanations, regards it as an epithet rather than a single entity.

Horse- and chariot-races were a part of funeral games from Homeric times. The use of a hero's tomb or an altar as the turning-post of a racetrack originates in rituals for the dead.

Nonfiction cross-reference

• Poseidon (nonfiction) - one of the twelve Olympian deities of the pantheon in Greek mythology.

External links:

• Taraxippus @ Wikipedia