Pegasus is the incredibly beautiful creature that combines humanity’s longing for the grace and power of the horse with the yearning to fly free like a bird.  He sprang from the blood spilled on the ground when Perseus slew the gorgon, Medusa and was tamed and presented to the Muses by Athena.

Athena favored a young, handsome youth named Bellerophon and gave him a bridle with which he was able to catch Pegasus.  Riding and flying upon this wonderful creature, Bellerophon was able to kill the Chimaera, a beast part lion, goat and serpent, that was destroying the lands of King Iobates.

King Iobates’ son-in-law Proteus, had recommended Bellerophon as an unconquerable hero and also asked the King to kill him.  Not wanting to break the code of hospitality to a guest the King kept sending Bellerophon on dangerous tasks, all of which he safely accomplished.  Finally the King realized that Bellerophon was favored by the Gods and rewarded him by giving him his daughter in marriage and making him his heir.

Bellerophon lived happily for a long time until he decided he would ride Pegasus to Olympus and take his place with the Gods.  His hubris angered Zeus, father of the Gods, who sent a gadfly to sting Pegasus who then threw Bellerophon to the earth.  Bellerophon ended his days wandering alone, blind, broken in body and spirit.