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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 Hellcon 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 a monster called the Chimaera,
fighting the Amazons and doing combat with the mightiest warriors in
Lycla.
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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