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Pegasus was believed to be either a result of a union between
Poseidon and the Medusa or sprang from the blood of the Medusa after
Perseus had cut off her head.
Pegasus stamped on the ground of Mount Helicon and produced two springs,
Aganippe and Hippocrene. Their waters were able to bestow poetical and
musical inspiration and were the frequent haunts of the Muses.
Bellerophon, a youth fathered by Poseidon, was able to tame and ride
Pegasus with a bridle given to him by Athena.
After unwittingly arousing the displeasure of the King of Argos, Bellerophon
was sent with Pegasus to undertake seemingly impossible tasks for the
King of Lycia. These included slaying the monster Chimaera, fighting
the Amazons and doing combat with the mightiest warriors in Lycia.
After Bellerophon had accomplished all these, he tried to ride Pegasus
to mount Olympus, only to have the winged horse hurl him back to Earth.
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