In Greek mythology, when Perseus cut off the Medusa's head, the blood sinking into the earth produced the winged horse Pegasus. The goddess Minerva caught and tamed him and presented him to the Muses. The fountain Hippocrene, on the Muse's mountain Helicon, was opened by a kick from his hoof.

The Chimaera, a fire-breathing monster who had the fore part of a lion and the hind part a dragon was terrorizing the country of Lycia, so that the king sought for some hero to destroy this monster. At that time there arrived at his court a gallant young warrior whose name was Bellerophon. The king decided to send him to fight the Chimaera.

Before going to battle, Bellerophon consulted a soothsayer who told him to spend the night in the temple of Minerva. He did so, and as he slept, Minerva came to him and gave him a golden bridle. Minerva showed him the beautiful Pegasus drinking at a spring, and at sight of the golden bridle the winged steed came to Bellerophon and allowed him to put on the bridle. Bellerophon mounted and they flew high into the air to find the Chimaera. Swiftly Pegasus flew him to the lair of the monster, and with the help of his magical steed, Bellerophon slew the Chimaera.

After the conquest of the Chimaera, Bellerophon fought many monsters, but with the aid of Pegasus he defeated them all.