Pyrois

Pyrois is a figure from ancient Greek mythology, typically described not as a distinct god but as one of the four immortal horses that pull the sun chariot. The name derives from the Greek word for fire, reflecting its fiery nature.

Along with the other three horses—Aethon, Eous, and Phlegon—Pyrois draws Helios’s sun chariot across the sky each day, guiding the sun’s path from east to west. In this role, Pyrois embodies solar fire and speed. The horse is usually treated as a personified element of the celestial mechanism rather than a deity with an independent cult or personality.

Ancient sources mention the horses in various lists, with Pyrois commonly named alongside Aethon, Phlegon, and Eous. The exact ordering and emphasis can vary between authors such as Hesiod and later mythographers. The overarching motif centers on the radiant, fiery nature of the sun and the daily journey across the heavens rather than on elaborate narratives about the individual animals.

In later literary and artistic representations, the four horses remain a standard part of the solar-chariot motif, underscoring themes of light, heat, and celestial movement. In Roman adaptations, where Helios is identified with Sol, the same imagery persists, with Pyrois continuing to symbolize the fiery aspect of the sun.