Goddess Athena had warned Bellerophon to kill Chimera only from the top with a lead, as that is the only way Chimera could be killed. Since Chimera was hissing out fire all the time, Bellerophon and Pegasus were unable to get closer to the monster. Finally, Bellphorne used hot and melted lead attached to the top of his spear to drive the spear through one of Chimera's mouths to kill her.