Concept
Hippogriff
Overview
The hippogriff (Italian: ippogrifo) or hippogryph is a legendary creature with the front half of an eagle and the hind half of a horse.
It was invented at the beginning of the 16th century by Ludovico Ariosto in his Orlando Furioso. Within the poem, the hippogriff is a steed born of a mare and a griffin—something considered impossible. It is extremely fast and is presented as being able to fly around the world and to the Moon. Its original owner was the sorcerer Atlantes, a Saracen who lived in North Africa, and the knight errant (his adopted son) Ruggiero, who, from the creature's back, frees the beautiful Angelica. Astolfo also borrows the hippogriff from Bradamante to search for Roland's wits.
The hippogriff became a subject of visual art in the 19th century, when it was often drawn by Gustave Doré.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
Found by search and not yet checked by a person; they may only mention the idea in passing.
Among the Hesperian Æthiopians is the fountain of Nigris, by many, supposed to be the head of the Nile. Near this fountain, there is found a wild beast, which is called the catoblepas; an animal of moderate size, but its head is remarkably heavy, and it only carries it with the greatest difficulty, being always bent down towards the earth. Were it not for this circumstance, it would prove the destruction of the…
the Elder Pliny, The Boys' and Girls' Pliny
States what Hippogriff is.
Such are the wild animals which the land of the Libyans possesses, so far as we were able to discover by inquiries extended as much as possible. 193. Next to the Maxyan Libyans are the Zauekes, 175 whose women drive their chariots for them to war.
Herodotus, The History of Herodotus — Volume 1
States what Hippogriff is.
And that bridle is termed Temperance, which marks the limit up to which it is lawful to pursue; he uses the spur in flight to turn the horse away from the place from which he would flee away; and this spur is called Courage, or rather Magnanimity, a Virtue that points out the place at which it is right to stop, and to resist evil even to mortal combat. And thus Virgil, our greatest Poet, represents Æneas as under…
Dante Alighieri, The Banquet
States what Hippogriff is.
Related ideas
Place in the tradition
Part of Rationalism.