Hippocrene

[Gr. hippokrěně, a horse-fountain.] (Myth.) A fountain at the foot of Mount Helicon, in Greece, supposed to have been produced when the horse Pegasus struck his foot against the mountain. It was regarded with peculiar veneration, as it was believed to be a favorite haunt of the Muses, and was looked upon as one of the chief sources whence the poets drew their inspiration. Hippocrep'iform, a . [Gr. hippos , a horse, krēpis , boot, and form a , shape.] ( Bot . ) Having the form or shape of a horse-shoe. Hippoda'mia, a daughter of Enomaus, king of Pisa, in Elis, married Pelops, son of Tantalus. Her father, according to an oracle, refused to marry her except to one who could overcome him in a chariot-race. As the beauty of H. was celebrated, many accepted her father's conditions. Thirteen had already been conquered, and laid down their lives, when Pelops came from Lydia. He previously bribed Myrtilus, the charioteer of Enomaus, and insured himself the victory. Enomaus, mounted on a broken chariot, was killed in the course, and Pelops married H. , who became mother of Atreus and Thyestes.