Bellerophon

Bellerophon was a prince of Corinth falsely accused of crimes by Queen Anteia. King Iobates, wanting Bellerophon dead but unwilling to kill a guest, sent him on a series of impossible missions — the first being to slay the Chimera, a fire-breathing monster with a lion's head, goat's body, and serpent's tail.

With the help of Athena, who gave him a golden bridle, Bellerophon tamed the winged horse Pegasus. Mounted on the divine steed, he swooped down on the Chimera and killed it by thrusting a lead-tipped spear into its fiery throat. The lead melted in the beast's own flames and choked it.

Bellerophon completed every deadly task Iobates set, eventually earning the king's respect and his daughter's hand. But success bred arrogance. Bellerophon attempted to ride Pegasus to Mount Olympus itself, believing he deserved a place among the gods. Zeus sent a gadfly that stung Pegasus, throwing Bellerophon back to earth. He survived but was left crippled and blind, wandering alone until death.