Chimera Chimera by Micha F. Lindemans In Greek mythology, the Chimera is a monster, depicted as an animal with the head of a lion, the body of a she-goat, and the tail of a dragon (sometimes it has multiple heads). It is a child of Typhon and Echidna . It terrorized Lycia (in Asia Minor), but was eventually killed by the Corinthian hero Bellerophon . Article details: Chimera Mythology - The Hybrid Monster Contact Chimera Mythology The Chimera, in mythology, is a Greek monster with the body and head of a lion with a snake for a tail and a fire-breathing goat head coming from its back. Different versions of Chimera mythology have slightly different descriptions, such as wings on the back or the back legs of a snake, but most follow the description above. No matter how you describe it, the Chimera is the daughter of Greek monster gods Typhon and Echidna , which means its siblings include other famous Greek monsters such as The Sphinx, Cerberus , and Ladon. The Chimera of Arezzo Merely seeing the Chimera was a bad omen.

The Greek monster regularly appeared before disasters such as shipwrecks, violent storms, and volcanic eruptions. The most famous moment involving the Chimera in Greek mythology is when the Greek hero Bellerophon, with the help of his trusty winged steed, Pegasus, killed the Chimera with a bow and arrow from the sky above. Beyond mythology, the term "chimera" is used in scientific research to explain an animal that contains more than one set of genetic codings. This is a clear nod to the Greek monster, in that the monster itself is a combination of three different 'normal' animals. The use of the word "chimera" as a way of describing a hybrid "monster" of sorts seems to be the most lasting element of the Chimera mythology. In later medieval usage, the word was used to describe any hybrid monster combination, and had a deep connection to the evil and demonic. There are many hybrid monsters, even if you just look at Greek monsters alone, so it's somewhat interesting that the Chimera was the one of all of them to end up defining a term that is still used in multiple purposes today.

Chimaera | Mythology Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Greek Mythology Wiki : Chimera The Chimaera (alternately called Kimera, Chimera, etc.) is a mixed beast from Greek lore whose body typically consists of various bits of a lion, a goat, and a serpent. It is known to breathe fire while the snake portion is venomous. The Greek hero Bellerophon was known to have fought and defeated the singular Chimaera of ancient Greek lore. Bellerophon defeated the Chimaera by placing a lump of lead on his spear and holding it in front of its mouth. The fire-breathing monster melted the lead with its breath and the molten lead flowed down its throat and eventually killed it. Chimaera is also the term used to refer to any other creature or being with both physical and mental characteristics or traits from various other creatures. Contents Edit The Chimaera featured in the story of Bellerophon was one of the offspring of the monster Typhon and his niece, the drakaina Echidna. [1] As such, it is the sister of Cerberus , Orthrus , the Nemean Lion , the Lernaean Hydra , Scylla , and many other monsters.

Other legends attribute the Nemean Lion to be the offspring of the chimaera rather than her brother. According to Homeric poems, the Chimaera was of divine origin. Bellerophon King Iobates commanded the Greek hero Bellerophon to slay the Chimaera. He rode into battle on the back of the winged horse, Pegasus . Bellephoron shoved a lead-tipped lance down the Chimaera's throat, suffocating it. Constellation The Chimaera may have once been identified with the winter-rising constellation of Capricorn, the serpent-tailed goat. Characteristics Edit Typically, she is portrayed with the body and head of a male lion, the head of a goat sticking out of her back, and a serpent for a tail. [2] She does not typically have the power of flight, a weakness which is exploited by Bellerophon on his flying steed, Pegasus. Chinese Mythology Edit Western scholars of Chinese art use the word Chimera to refer to winged quadrupeds such as the Bixie, Tianlu and the qilin. Some Observations on Stone Winged Chimeras at Ancient Chinese Tomb Sites, by Barry Till.

However, there are a myriad of other hyrid beasts that are not considered chimaeras such as Kitsunes . Possible Real-life Origins Edit It is possible that the myth could have been inspired by permanent gas vents along the Lycian Way in southwest Turkey. The origin of the notion of this fire-breathing nature of the Chimera must probably come from the volcano named Chimaera near Phaselis, in Lycia , [3] or it may have originated on the volcanic valley near the Cragus, [4] which is mentioned as the scene of the events connected with the Chimera. Terminology The word or term Chimera has two alternative forms: Chimaera and Chimæra. The term by itself has various meanings: A vain, foolish, or incongruous fancy, or creature of the imagination; as, the chimera of an author. In Genetics, An organism with genetically distinct cells originating from two zygotes. In Popular Culture In God of War: Ascension an ice-breathing Chimera appears as a boss. In God of War , Chimeras only appear as statues at the entrance of Zeus' Mountain. God of War III sees various appearances of Chimeras in many levels as minions of Olympus.

Television Edit Chimeras are a featured species in the anime/manga franchise "Fullmetal Alchemist", in which they are created artificially through alchemy used to combine animals (and even humans) into a new creature. In the field of alchemy, creating chimeras is a form of biology that is full of complications, many failures and false starts, and it is illegal to use humans as specimens (but the military performs these acts, regardless). Chimera (My Little Pony Friendship is Magic) Chimera (American Dragon: Jake Long) Film A Chimera appears in the Rick Riordan series Percy Jackson. It attacks Percy on the St Louis Arch, forcing him to jump off into a nearby body of water. Gallery CHIMERA (Khimaira) - Three-Headed Monster of Greek Mythology Chimera Chimera, South Italian red-figure kylix C4th B.C., Musée du Louvre THE KHIMAIRA (Chimera) was a three-headed monster which ravaged the countryside of Lykia (Lycia) in Anatolia.

It was a bizarre fire-breathing creature with the body and head of a lion, a goat's head rising from its back, the udders of a goat, and a serpent for a tail. The hero Bellerophon was commanded by King Iobates to slay the beast. He rode into battle on the back of the winged horse Pegasos and drove a lead-tipped lance into its flaming throat, choking the beast on molten metal. Late classical writers believed the creature was a metaphor for a Lycian volcano. FAMILY OF THE CHIMERA TYPHOEUS & EKHIDNA (Hesiod Theogony 319, Homeric Hymn 3.356, Apollodorus 2.32 & Hyginus Pref & Fabulae 151) OFFSPRING SPHINX , NEMEIAN LION (by Orthos ) (Hesiod Theogony 327) ENCYCLOPEDIA CHIMAERA (Chimaira), a fire-breathing monster, which, according to the Homeric poems, was of divine origin.

She was brought up by Amisodarus, king of Caria, and afterwards made great havoc in all the country around and among men. The fore part of her body was that of a lion, and the hind part that of a dragon, while the middle was that of a goat. (Hom. Il. vi. 180, xvi. 328 ; comp. Ov. Met. ix. 646.) According to Hesiod (Theog. 319, &c.), she was a daughter of Typhaon and Echidna, and had three heads, one of each of the three animals before mentioned, whence she is called trikephalos or trisômatos. (Eustath. ad Hom. p. 634; Eurip. Ion, 203, &c.; Apollod. i. 9. § 3, ii. 3. § 1.) She was killed by Bellerophon, and Virgil (Aen. vi. 288) places her together with other monsters at the entrance of Orcus.

The origin of the notion of this fire-breathing monster must probably be sought for in the volcano of the name of Chimaera near Phaselis, in Lycia (Plin. H. N. ii. 106, v. 27; Mela. i. 15), or in the volcanic valley near the Cragus (Strab. xiv. p. 665, &c.), which is described as the scene of the events connected with the Chimaera. In the works of art recently discovered in Lycia, we find several representations of the Chimaera in the simple form of a species of lion still occurring in that country. Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES Bellerophon, Pegasus and the Chimera, Laconian black-figure kylix C6th B.C., The J. Paul Getty Museum Homer, Iliad 6. 179 ff (trans.

Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) : "First he [King Iobates of Lykia (Lycia)] sent him [Bellerophon] away with orders to kill the Khimaira (Chimera) none might approach; a thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire. He killed the Khimaira, obeying the portents of the immortals." Homer, Iliad 16. 328 ff : "Amisodaros (Amisodarus), the one who had nourished the furious Khimaira (Chimera) to be an evil to many." Hesiod, Theogony 319 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) : "She [Ekhidna (Echidna)] bore the Khimaira (Chimera), who snorted raging fire, a beast great and terrible, and strong and swift-footed.

Her heads were three: one was that of a glare-eyed lion, one of a goat, and the third of a snake, a powerful drakon (serpentine-dragon). But Khimaira (Chimera) was killed by Pegasos (Pegasus) and gallant Bellerophon. But she also, in love with Orthos (Orthrus) [the two-headed dog], mothered the deadly Sphinx . . . and the Nemeian Lion." Hesiod, Catalogues of Women Fragment 7 (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) : "With him [Pegasos (Pegasus)] Bellerophon caught and slew the fire-breathing Khimaira (Chimera)." Homeric Hymn 3 to Apollo 356 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th - 4th B.C.) : "Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon boasted over her [the Drakaina Python] : ‘. . . Against cruel death neither Typhoeus [i.e.

her consort] shall avail you nor ill-famed Khimaira (Chimera) [her child], but here, shall the Earth and shining Hyperion [the Sun] make you rot (pytho).’" Pindar, Olympian Ode 13 ep 4 (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) : "And [Bellerophon] felled Khimaira (Chimera) breathing fire." Plato, Republic 588c (trans. Shorey) (Greek philosopher C4th B.C.) : "One of those natures that the ancient fables tell of, as that of the Khimaira (Chimera) or Skylla (Scylla) or Kerberos (Cerberus), and the numerous other examples that are told of many forms grown together in one." Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 31 - 32 (trans.

Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "He [King Iobates of Lykia (Lycia)] ordered Bellerophon to slay the Khimaira (Chimera), assuming that he would instead be destroyed himself by the beast, since not even a quantity of men could subdue it with ease, let alone one. For it was a single being that had the force of three beasts, the front part of a lion, the tail of a drakon, and the third--middle--head was that of a goat, through which it breathed out fire. It despoiled the countryside and ravaged the herds. It was allegedly reared by Amisodaros (Amisodarus), as Homer also states, and according to Hesiod its parents were Typhon and Ekhidna (Echidna). Bellerophon mounted Pegasos (Pegasus), his winged horse born of Medousa (Medusa) and Poseidon, and flying high into the air brought down the Khimaira with his bow and arrows." Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.

85 : "Bellerophon, slayer of the fire-breathing Khimaira (Chimera)." Strabo, Geography 14. 3. 5 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "Kragos (Cragus) [a coastal mountain in Lykia (Lycia)], which has eight promontories and a city of the same name. The scene of the myth of Khimaira (Chimera) is laid in the neighborhood of these mountains. Khimaira, a ravine extending up from the shore, is not far from them." Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 27. 2 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : "[Depicted on the throne of Asklepios (Asclepius) in his shrine in Epidauros, Argolis :] are wrought in relief the exploits of Argive heroes, that of Bellerophontes against the Khimaira (Chimera)." Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 18.

10 - 16 : "[Amongst the scenes depicted on the throne of Apollon at Amyklai (Amyclae) near Sparta :] On the left stand Ekhidna (Echidna) and Typhos [Typhoeus], on the right Tritones . . . Bellerophontes is destroying the beast in Lykia (Lycia) [i.e. the Khimaira (Chimera)]." Bellerophon, Pegasus and Chimera, Greek bas-relief B.C., British Museum Diodorus Siculus, Library of History Book 6 Fragment 9 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) : "Iobates [king of Lykia (Lycia)] received the letter [from his son-in-law Proitos (Proetus)] and discovered it was written that he should slay Bellerophon with all speed; but, being unwilling to put him to death, he commanded him instead to go join combat with the fire-breathing Khimaira (Chimera)." Aelian, On Animals 9. 23 (trans.

Scholfield) (Greek natural history C2nd A.D.) : "Homer may sing of the Khimaira (Chimera) with its three heads, the monster of Lykia (Lycia) kept by Amisodaros the Lykian king for the destruction of many, of varies nature, and absolutely invincible. Now these seem to have been relegated to the region of myths." Oppian, Cynegetica 1. 225 (trans. Mair) (Greek poet C3rd A.D.) : "To Horses beyond all mortal creatures cunning Nature has given a subtle mind and heart . . . A horse [Pegasos] carried above the clouds him [Bellerophon] that slew the Khimaira (Chimera)." Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 57 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "Iobates was reluctant to kill the hero [Bellerophon], but sent him to kill the Chimaera, a three-formed creature said to breathe forth fire. Likewise: forepart lion, rearpart snake, middle she-goat.

This he slew, riding on Pegasus, and he is said to have fallen in the Aleian plains and to have dislocated his hip." Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 151 : "From Typhon the giant and Echidna were born . . . the Chimaera in Lycia which had the fore part of a lion, the hind part of a snake, while the she-goat itself formed the middle." Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 18 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "[Proitos (Proetus)King of Argos] knowing that he [Bellerophon] had the horse Pegasus, sent him to the father of Antia--some call her Sthenoboea--, for him to defend his daughter's chastity and send the youth against the Chimaera, which at that time was laying waste with flames the country of the Lycians." Ovid, Metamorphoses 6. 339 (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C.

to C1st A.D.) : "Lycia, the Chimaera's land." Ovid, Metamorphoses 9. 647 : "Lycia . . . and the scarp where the Chimaera prowled with lungs of fire and lion's breast and head and serpent's tail." Virgil, Aeneid 6. 287 ff (trans. Fairclough) (Roman epic C1st B.C.) : "Many monstrous forms besides of various beasts are stalled at the doors [of Haides], Centauri (Centaurs) and double-shaped Scyllae, and the hundredfold Briareus, and the beast of Lerna, hissing horribly, and the Chimaera armed with flame, Gorgones (Gorgons) and Harpyiae (Harpies), and the shape of the three-bodied shade [Geryon]." Chimera, Bellerophon and Pegasus, Athenian black-figure siana cup C6th B.C., Musée du Louvre Cicero, De Natura Deorum 2. 2 (trans.

Rackham) (Roman rhetorician C1st B.C.) : "Who [in this day and age] believes that the Hippocentaurus (Centaur) or the Chimaera (Chimera) ever existed? . . . The years obliterate the inventions of the imagination, but confirm the judgements of nature." Pliny the Elder, Natural History 5. 100 (trans. Rackham) (Roman encyclopedia C1st A.D.) : "[In Lykia (Lycia) is] is Mount Chimaera, which sends forth flames at night, and the city-state of Hephaestium [of the fire-god Hephaistos (Hephaestus)], which also has a mountain range that is often on fire." Seneca, Medea 828 ff (trans. Miller) (Roman tragedy C1st A.D.) : "[The witch Medea employs several fabulous ingredients in a spell to create magical fire :] I have gifts from Chimaera's middle part, I have flames caught from the bull's [the bronze Kolkhian (Colchian) bull's] scorched throat." Apuleius, The Golden Ass 8.

16 ff (trans. Walsh) (Roman novel C2nd A.D.) : "I reflected that it was panic more than anything which had induced the celebrated Pegasus to take to the air, and that the tradition that he had wings was justified because he leapt upward as high as heaven in his fear of being bitten by the fire-breathing Chimaera." POETIC EPITHETS Three-bodied COMMENTARY In myth the winged horse Pegasos, Khimaira's opponent, was placed amongst the stars as the spring-rising constellation Pegasus. Khimaira may have once been juxtaposed with this and associated with the constellation Capricorn whose rising heralded the onset of winter. Capricorn has the head of a goat and a serpent-like tail, two parts of the Khimaira's form. The constellation Pegasus also appears to drive Capricorn from the heavens in spring--the first rising as the other sets. A Greco-Roman mosaic recently unearthed in Syria (Z44.1 above) suggests that medieval depictions of Saint George slaying the Dragon from his horse were derived directly from Greco-Roman depictions of Bellerophon slaying the Khimaira from the back of Pegasos.

ANCIENT GREEK & ROMAN ART Bellerophon - Memidex dictionary/thesaurus Bellerophon Definition: a mythical hero of Corinth who performed miracles on the winged horse Pegasus (especially killing the monster Chimera) Class: Greek hero, from L. form of Greek Bellerophontes, probably literally "killer of... (Source: Online Etymology) [more] Wikipedia: Bellerophon | Bellerophontes a hero of Greek mythology. He was "the greatest hero and slayer of monsters, alongside Cadmus and Perseus, before the days of Heracles", whose greatest feat was killing the Chimera, a monster that Homer depicted with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a... en​.wikipedia​.org​/wiki​/Bellerophon Bellerophon (disambiguation) a hero in Greek mythology. Bellerophon may also refer to: Bellerophon (play), a play by Euripedes | Bellérophon, an opera by Jean-Baptiste Lully | Bellerophon (genus), a genus of Paleozoic gastropod from family Bellerophontidae | 51 Pegasi b,...

(35 of 171 words, 13 definitions) | Bellerophontes [synonym] hero in Greek legend. In the Iliad he was the son of Glaucus, who was the son of Sisyphus of Ephyre. The wife of King Proetus of Argos--named Anteia ... Bellerophon [fossil gastropod] extinct genus of gastropods found as fossils in rocks from the Ordovician Period to the Triassic Period. Bellerophon is characteristic of the ... (22 of 112 words) Bellerophon [Greek mythology] a hero of Corinth who performed many deeds with the help of the winged horse Pegasus, notably the killing of the monster Chimera (23 of 293 words, 2 usage examples, pronunciation) Columbia Encyclopedia: Bellerophon in Greek mythology, son of Glaucus; originally called Hipponoüs. He changed his name after he murdered a countryman and was forced to flee to exile. ...

(25 of 171 words, pronunciation) Oxford Dictionary: Bellerophon Syllabification: (Bel·ler·o·phon) [Greek mythology] | a hero who slew the monster Chimera with the help of the winged horse Pegasus. (19 of 38 words, 2 definitions, pronunciation) BELLEROPHON (Bellerophontes) - Hero of Greek Mythology Wielder of Missiles Bellerophon, Pegasus and the Chimera, Greco-Roman mosaic from Palmyra C3rd A.D. BELLEROPHONTES (Bellerophon) was one of the most celebrated heroes of myth. He was a son of the god Poseidon and Eurynome, wife of King Glaukos (Glaucus) of Korinthos (Corinth). In his youth Bellerophontes captured the winged horse Pegasos as it came to drink from the town's fountain. He was later exiled for the murder of a family member and journeyed to the court of King Proitos (Proetus) in Argos for purification.

The queen, however, developed a lust for the hero and when he spurned her, she told her husband he had tried to violate her. Proitos then sent him off to King Iobates in Lykia (Lycia) with a closed letter requesting the youth be put to death. Iobates was reluctant to do this himself and so commanded Bellerophontes to slay the fire-breathing Khimaira (Chimera) which was ravaging the land. He rode into battle against the beast on the back of Pegasos and slew it by driving a lead-tipped spear into its fiery gullet. The king then ordered him to subdue the barbarous Solymoi tribe, and later the Amazones, but again he proved victorious. Finally, Iobates commanded his guards to ambush and kill the youth, but he slew them all. The king was forced to acknowledge that Bellerophontes must be the son of a god and welcomed him into his house as his son-in-law and heir. Despite all of his successes, Bellerophontes was still not satisfied and sought to ascend to heaven on the back of Pegasos.

Zeus was angered by his presumption and sent a gadfly to sting the horse, causing it to buck and cast the hero back down to earth. After this he wandered the world alone, despised by both gods and men. The mythological etymology of Bellerophontes name was "Slayer of Belleros" from the Greek Belleros and phonos. However, it is likely that the name originally meant "Wielder of Missiles" from the Greek words belos and phoreô.

FAMILY OF BELLEROPHON [1.1] GLAUKOS (Homer Iliad 6.154, Hyginus Astronomica 2.21) [1.2] GLAUKOS & EURYMEDE (Apollodorus 1.85) [1.3] POSEIDON & EURYNOME (Hesiod Catalogues Frag 7, Hyginus Fab 157) [1.4] POSEIDON (Nonnus Dionysiaca 11.142) OFFSPRING [1.1] ISANDROS, HIPPOLOKHOS, LAODAMEIA (Homer Iliad 6.154) [1.2] LAODAMEIA (by Philonoe) (Apollodorus 2.33 & 3.1) ENCYCLOPEDIA BELLE′ROPHON or BELLEROPHONTES (Bellerophôn or Bellerophontês), properly called Hipponous, was a son of the Corinthian king, Glaucus and Eurymede, and a grandson of Sisyphus.

(Apollod. i. 9. § 3; Hom. Il. vi. 155.) According to Hyginus (Fab. 157; comp. Pind. Ol. xiii. 66), he was a son of Poseidon and Eurymede. He is said to have received the name Bellerophon or Bellerophontes from having slain the noble Corinthian, Bellerus. (Tzetz. ad Lycoph. 17; Eustath. Hom. p. 632.) Others related, that he had slain his own brother, Deliades, Peiren, or Alcimenes. (Apollod. ii. 3. § 1, &c.) In order to be purified from the murder, whichever it may have been, he fled to Proetus, whose wife Anteia fell in love with the young hero; but her offers being rejected by him, she accused him to her husband of having made improper proposals to her, and insisted upon his being put to death.

Proetus, unwilling to kill him with his own hands, sent him to his father-in-law, Iobates, king in Lycia, with a sealed letter in which the latter was requested to put the young man to death. Iobates accordingly sent him to kill the monster Chimaera, thinking that he was sure to perish in the contest. Bellerophon mounted the winged horse, Pegasus, and rising up with him into the air, killed the Chimaera from on high with his arrows. Iobates, being thus disappointed, sent Bellerophon out again, first against the Solymi and next against the Amazons. In these contests too he was victorious; and when, on his return to Lycia, he was attacked by the bravest Lycians, whom Iobates had placed in ambush for the purpose, Bellerophon slew them all. Iobates, now seeing that it was hopeless to attempt to kill the hero, showed him the letter he had received from Proetus, gave him his daughter (Philonoë, Anticleia, or Cassandra) for his wife, and made him his successor on the throne.

Bellerophon became the father of Isander, Hippolochus, and Laodameia. Here Apollodorus breaks off the story; and Homer, whose account (vi. 155-202) differs in some points from that of Apollodorus, describes the later period of Bellerophon's life only by saying, that he drew upon himself the hatred of the gods, and, consumed by grief, wandered lonely through the Aleian field, avoiding the paths of men. We must here remark with Eustathius, that Homer knows nothing of Bellerophon killing the Chimaera with the help of Pegasus, which must therefore be regarded in all probability as a later embellishment of the story. The manner in which he destroyed the Chimaera is thus described by Tzetzes (l. c.): he fixed lead to the point of his lance, and thrust it into the fire-breathing mouth of the Chimaera, who was accordingly killed by the molten lead. According to others, Bellerophon was assisted by Athena Chalinitis or Hippia. (Paus. ii. 1. § 4; Pind. l. c.; Strab. viii. p.

379.) Some traditions stated, that he attempted to rise with Pegasus into heaven, but that Zeus sent a gad-fly, which stung Pegasus so, that he threw off the rider upon the earth, who became lame or blind in consequence. (Pind. Isth. vii. 44; Schol. ad Pind. Ol. xiii. 130; Horat. Carm. iv. 11. 26.) A peculiar story about Bellerophon is related by Plutarch. (De Virt. Mul. p. 247, &c.) Bellerophon was worshipped as a hero at Corinth, and had a sanctuary near the town in the cypress grove, Craneion. (Paus. ii. 2. § 4.) Scenes of the story of Bellerophon were frequently represented in ancient works of art. His contest with the Chimaera was seen on the throne of Amyclae (ii. 18. § 7), and in the vestibule of the Delphic temple. (Eurip.

Ion, 203.) On coins, gems, and vases he is often seen fighting against the Chimaera, taking leave of Proetus, taming Pegasus or giving him to drink, or falling from him. But, until the recent discoveries in Lycia by Mr. Fellows, no representation of Bellerophon in any important work of art was known; in Lycian sculptures, however, he is seen riding on Pegasus and conquering the Chimaera. Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. CHARACTERS & PLACES OF THE MYTH Bellerophon, Pegasus and Chimera, Laconian black-figure kylix C6th B.C., The J. Paul Getty Museum CHARACTERS SISYPHOS (Sisyphus). An early king of Korinthos (Corinth) and grandfather of Bellerophontes who was condemned to torments in the underworld for his crimes. GLAUKOS (1) (Glaucus). The king of Korinthos (Corinth) whose was the cuckolded father of Bellerophontes. GLAUKOS (2) (Glaucus).

A Lykian (Lycian) prince and grandson of Bellerophontes who fought in the Trojan War. EURYNOME. The wife of King Glaukos of Korinthos (Corinth) who was the mother of Bellerophontes by the god Poseidon POSEIDON. The god of the sea and father of Bellerophontes. BELLEROPHONTES (Bellerophon). The hero-prince of Korinthos (Corinth), master of the winged-horse Pegasos and slayer of the Khimaira (Chimera). PEGASOS (Pegasus). A winged horse, son of Poseidon and the Gorgon Medousa (Medusa), which was the steed--and half-brother--of Bellerophontes. ATHENA. The patron goddess of heroes who assisted Bellerophontes during his many trials. DELIADES. A son of King Glaukos of Korinthos who was slain by his half-brother Bellerophontes. BELLEROS. A Korinthian killed by Bellerophontes. AITHRA (Aethra).

A princess of Troizenos (Troezen) in Argolis who was wooed by Bellerophontes and later became the mother of Theseus. PROITOS (Proetus). King of Argos. STHENEBOIA (Stheneboea) or ANTEIA (Antia). The wife of King Proitos of Argos and daughter of King Iobates of Lykia. IOBATES. A king of Lykia (Lycia) and father-in-law of King Proitos of Argos who commanded Bellerophontes slay the Khimaira (Chimera). KHIMAIRA (Chimera). A three-headed, fire-breathing lion which ravaged the Lykian countryside. AMISODAROS (Amisodarus). A Lykian man who reared the Khimaira (Chimera). SOLYMOI (Solymi). A barbarian tribe which harried the borders of Lykia (Lycia). AMAZONES (Amazons). A tribe of warrior women. PHILONOE. The daughter of King Iobates of Lykia (Lycia) and wife of Bellerophontes.

PLACES KORINTHOS (Corinth). A town on the Isthmos of the Greek Peloponnese. EPHYRA. An old name for Korinthos. ARGOS. A town of the Greek Peloponnese, west of Korinthos. LYKIA (Lycia). A country on the Aegean coast of Anatolia (modern Turkey) which contained a number of Greek colonies. KRAGOS (Cragus). A mountain in Lykia which was the home of the Khimaira (Chimera). CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES Homer, Iliad 6. 144 - 221 ff (trans. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) : "[During a battle of the Trojan War the Greek hero Diomedes asks after the ancestory of Glaukos (Glaucus), a Lykian ally of the Trojans :] The shining son [Glaukos] of Hippolokhos (Hippolochus) answered : ‘High-hearted [Diomedes] son of Tydeus, why ask of my generation? . . .

If you wish to learn all this and be certain of my genealogy : there are plenty of men who know it. There is a city Ephyre [Korinthos (Corinth)], in the corner of horse-pasturing Argos; there lived Sisyphos, Aiolos' (Aeolus') son, and he had a son named Glaukos (Glaucus), and Glaukos in turn sired Bellerophontes the blameless. To Bellerophontes the gods granted beauty and desirable manhood; but Proitos (Proetus) in anger devised evil things against him, and drove him out of his own domain, since he was far greater, from the Argive country Zeus had broken to the sway of his sceptre. Beautiful Anteia the wife of Proitos was striken with passion to lie in love with him, and yet she could not beguile valiant Bellerophones, whose will was virtuous. So she went to Proitos the king and uttered her falsehood : "Would you be killed, o Proitos?

Then murder Bellerophontes who tried to lie with me in love, though I was unwilling." So she spoke, and anger took hold of the king at her story. He shrank from killing him, since his heart was awed by such action, but sent him away to Lykia (Lycia), and handed him murderous symbols, which he inscribed in a folding tablet, enough to destroy life, and told him to show it to his wife's father, that he might perish. ‘Bellerophontes went to Lykia in the blameless convoy of the gods; when he came to the running stream of Xanthos (Xanthus), and Lykia, the lord of wide Lykia tendered him full-hearted honour. Nine days he entertained him with sacrifice of nine oxen, but afterwards when the rose fingers of the tenth dawn showed, then he began to question him, and asked to be show the symbols, whatever he might be carrying from his son-in-law, Proitos.

Then after he had been given his son-in-law's wicked symbols first he sent him away with orders to kill the Khimaira (Chimera) none might approach; a thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire. He killed the Khimaira, obeying the portents of the immortals. ‘Next after this he fought against the glorious Solymoi (Solymi), and this he thought was the strongest battle with men that he entered; but third he slaughtered the Amazones (Amazons), who fight men in battle. Now as he came back the king spun another entangling treachery; for choosing the bravest men in wide Lykia he laid a trap, but these men never came home thereafter since all of them were killed by blameless Bellerophontes. Then when the king knew him for the powerful stock of the god, he detained him there, and offered him the hand of his daughter, and gave him half of all the kingly privilege.

Thereto the men of Lykia cut out a piece of land, surpassing all others, fine ploughland and orchard for him to administer. ‘His bride bore three children to valiant Bellerophontes, Isandros (Isander) and Hippolokhos (Hippolochus) and Laodameia. Laodameia lay in love beside Zeus of the counsels and bore him godlike Sarpedon of the brazen helmet. But after Bellerophontes was hated by all the immortals, he wandered alone about the plain of Aleios (Aleus), eating his heart out, skulking aside from the trodden track of humanity. As for Isandros his son, Ares the insatiate of fighting killed him in close battle against the glorious Solymoi, while Artemis of the golden reins killed the daughter in anger.

But Hippolokhos begot me [Glaukos], and I claim he is my father; he sent me to Troy, and urged upon me repeated injunctions, to be always among the bravest, and hold my head above others, not shaming the generation of my fathers, who were the greatest men in Ephyre and again in wide Lykia. Such is my generation and the blood I claim to be born from.’ He spoke, and Diomedes of the great war cry was gladdened . . . and in winning words of friendliness he spoke to the shepherd of the people : ‘See now, you are my guest friend from far in the time of our fathers. Brilliant Oineus (Oeneus) [king of Kalydon (Calydon), grandfather of Diomedes,] once was host to Bellerophontes the blameless, in his halls, and twenty days he detained him, and these two gave to each other fine gifts in token of friendship.

Oineus gave his guest a war belt bright with the red dye, Bellerophontes a golden and double-handled drinking-cup, a thing I left behind in my house when I came on my journey.’" Chimera, Bellerophon and Pegasus, Athenian black-figure siana cup C6th B.C., Musée du Louvre Homer, Iliad 16. 327 ff : "Two brothers . . . Sarpedon's noble companions [in the Trojan War] and spear-throwing sons of Amisodaros, the one who had nourished the furious Khimaira (Chimera) to be an evil to many." Hesiod, Theogony 319 ff (trans.

Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) : "She [Ekhidna (Echidna)] was the mother of Khimaira (Chimera) who breathed raging fire, a creature fearful, great, swift-footed and strong, who had three heads, one of a grim-eyed lion; in her hinderpart, a drakon (dragon-serpent); and in her middle, a goat, breathing forth a fearful blast of blazing fire. Her did Pegasos (Pegasus) and noble Bellerophontes slay." Hesiod, Catalogues of Women Fragment 7 (from Berlin Papyri No. 7497; Oxyrhynchus Papyri 421: 3) (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) : "Eurynome the daughter of Nisos (Nisus), Pandion's son, to whom Pallas Athene taught all her art, both wit and wisdom too; for she was as wise as the gods.

A marvellous scent rose from her silvern raiment as she moved, and beauty was wafted from her eyes. Her, then, Glaukos (Glaucus) sought to win by Athena's advising, and he drove oxen for her. But he knew not at all the intent of Zeus who holds the aegis. So Glaukos came seeking her to wife with gifts; but cloud-driving Zeus, king of the deathless gods, bent his head in oath that the ((lacuna)) . . [Glaukos] son of Sisyphos (Sisyphus) should never have children born of one father. So she lay in the arms of Poseidon and bare in the house of Glaukos blameless Bellerophontes, surpassing all men in ((lacuna)) . . over the boundless sea. And when he began to roam, his father gave him Pegasos (Pegasus) who would bear him most swiftly on his wings, and flew unwearying everywhere over the earth, for like the gales he would course along. With him Bellerophontes caught and slew the fire-breathing Khimaira (Chimera).

And he wedded the dear child of the great-hearted Iobates, the worshipful king . . lord (of) . . and she bare . . " Pindar, Olympian Ode 13. 60 ff (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) : "For when there came Glaukos (Glaucus) from Lykia (Lycia) [to join the Trojan War], the Danaans' hearts were chill with deadly fear, hearing him boast that in Peirene's city [Korinthos (Corinth)] his own forebear once held the soverign power, and the great heritage of kingly palace and wide patrimony : that grandsire once strove in vain beside Peirene's spring, and suffered much, seeking to yoke the snake-haired Gorgo's (Gorgon's) offspring, Pegasos (Pegasus). Till Pallas [Athena], goddess maid, brought him the bridle and golden headband, and behold a dream was truth.

‘Sleep not, Aiolid king,’ said she, ‘but take this charm of steeds, and offer the Horse-Tamer, your sire, a snow-white bull, and show to him this bridle.’ Such words, as he lay slumbering in the dark, it seemed the maiden of the shadowy aegis spoke unto him, and he leapt to his feet and seized the magic bit, that lay beside him on the ground; and went with joy to find the prophet of his country's people the son of Koiranos (Coeranus). And he made known to him the whole issue of this strange matter--how that he had lain the whole night through upon the goddess' altar, as the seer had foretold him, and how the child of Zeus whose sword is lightning, in her own hands brought him the golden charm that tames the savage spirit. And the prophet bade him obey at once the magic vision, and to Poseidon, the earth-holder, to sacrifice the strong-limbed bull. Then too that he should build an altar with all speed to Athene, queen of steeds.

Yet the gods' power can lightly bring to pass such things as will deny both the sworn word and all the hopes of men. Thus with all zeal mighty Bellerophontes seized the winged steed, setting between his jaws the soothing charm, and mounting him, in his bronze panoply played him in sport, to try his pace. And once, with him, he smote the Amazones (Amazons), from the chill bosom of the lonely air, that archered host of women-kind; and felled Khimaira (Chimera) breathing fire, and slew the Solymoi. His fate--'twere best unspoken. But Pegasos dwells in the ancient stalls of Zeus upon Olympos." Pindar, Isthmian Ode 7. 44 ff : "Pegasos (Pegasus) winged high threw down to earth his lord Bellerophontes, who thought to reach the abodes of heaven, and share the company of Zeus.

Sweets gained unrightly await an end most bitter." Euripides, Bellerophon & Stheneboea (lost plays) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) : The story of Bellerophontes was the theme of two lost plays by Euripides entitled Bellerophontes and Stheneboia. Pegasus at the spring, Apulian red-figure vase C4th B.C., Tampa Museum of Art Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 30 - 33 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "Bellerophontes, the son of Sisyphos' son Glaukos (Glaucus), involuntarily killed his brother, whose name was, according to various sources, Deliades or Peiren or Alkimenes (Alcimenes). So Bellerophontes came to Proitos (Proetus) for purification. Stheneboia (Stheneboea) fell in love with him and sent him written invitations to a romantic tryst.

When he spurned her, she told Proitos that Bellerophontes had sent her messages of the grossest nature. Proitos believed what she told him, and gave Bellerophontes a letter to deliver to Iobates [king of Lykia (Lycia)], in which it was written that he was to murder Bellerophontes. When Iobates read it, he ordered Bellerophontes to slay the Khimaira (Chimera), assuming that he would instead by destroyed himself by the beast, since not even a quantity of men could subdue it with ease, let alone one. For it was a single being that had the force of three beasts, the front part of a lion, the tail of a dragon, and the third (middle) head was that of a goat, through which it breathed out fire. It despoiled the countryside and ravaged the herds. It was allegedly reared by Amisodaros, as Homer also states, and according to Hesiod its parents were Typhon and Ekhidna (Echidna).

Bellerophontes mounted Pegasos (Pegasus), his winged horse born of Medousa (Medusa) and Poseidon, and flying high into the air brought down the Khimaira with his bow and arrows. After this challenge, Iobates ordered him to battle the Solymoi (Solymi), and when that was done, to take on the Amazones. When he had slain these, Iobates selected from the Lykians those most famous for their vigor, and instructed them to murder Bellerophontes in ambush; but when Bellerophontes had slain every one of them as well, Iobates, awestruck by his strength, showed him Proitos' letter and said he would be honoured if Bellerophontes stayed on with him. He gave him his daughter Philonoe, and, when he died, he left him his kingdom." Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 85 : “Sisyphos settled Ephyra--now called Korinthos (Corinth)--and married Merope, the daughter of Atlas.

To them was born a son Glaukos (Glaucus), who by Eurymede fathered Bellerophontes, slayer of the fire-breathing Khimaira.” Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 1 : "According to Homer, Sarpedon was a son of Zeus by Laodamia, daughter of Bellerophontes." Theocritus, Idylls 1. 589 (trans. Rist) (Greek bucolic C3rd B.C.) : "If you must know, we're Korinthians (Corinthians) by extraction, like Bellerophontes himself." Parthenius, Love Romances 5 (trans.Gaselee) (Greek poet C1st B.C.) : "From the Leontion of Hermesianax . . . Leukippos (Leucippus) the son of Xanthios, a descendant of Bellerophontes, far outshone his contemporaries in strength and warlike valour. Consequently he was only too well known among the Lykians (Lycians) and their neighbours." Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 10.

170 ff (trans. Way) (Greek epic C4th A.D.) : "Bellerophontes' grave and holy place in Tlos [in Lykia (Lycia)], nigh that far-famed Khimaira's (Chimera's) Crag." Strabo, Geography 8. 6. 20 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "Peirene [a spring of the city of Korinthos (Corinth)] was wont to rise over the surface and flow down the sides of the mountain. And here, they say, Pegasos (Pegasus), a winged horse which sprang from the neck of the Gorgon Medousa (Medusa) when her head was cut off, was caught while drinking by Bellerophontes." Strabo, Geography 14. 3. 5 : "Kragos (Cragus) [a coastal mountain in Lykia (Lycia)], which has eight promontories and a city of the same name. The scene of the myth of Khimaira (Chimera) is laid in the neighborhood of these mountains.

Khimaira, a ravine extending up from the shore, is not far from them." Bellerophon, Pegasus and Chimera, Athenian red-figure askos C5th B.C., Musée du Louvre Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 4. 1 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : "[In the town of Korinthos (Corinth)] is the temple of Athena Chalinitis (Bridler). For Athena, they say, was the divinity who gave most help to Bellerophontes, and she delivered to him Pegasos (Pegasus), having herself broken in and bridled him. The image of her is of wood, but face, hands and feet are of white marble. That Bellerophontes was not an absolute king, but was subject to Proitos (Proetus) and the Argives is the belief of myself and of all who have read carefully the Homeric poems. When Bellerophontes migrated to Lykia (Lycia) it is clear that the Korinthians none the less were subject to the despots at Argos or Mykenai (Mycenae).

By themselves they provided no leader for the campaign against Troy, but shared in the expedition as part of the forces, Mykenaian and other, led by Agamemnon. Sisyphos had other sons besides Glaukos, the father of Bellerophontes a second was Ornytion, and besides him there were Thersandros (Thersander) and Almos." Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 2. 4 : "As one goes up to Korinthos (Corinth) are tombs . . . before the city is a grove of cypresses called Kraneion (Craneum). Here are a precinct of Bellerophontes, a temple of Aphrodite Melainis and the grave of Lais." Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 31. 9 : "The Troizenians [in Argos] too have a fountain called the Horse's (Hippokrene), and the legend about it does not differ from the one which prevails in Boiotia (Boeotia).

For they, too, say that the earth sent up the water when the horse Pegasos (Pegasus) struck the ground with his hoof, and that Bellerophontes came to Troizenos (Troezen) to ask Pittheus to give him Aithra (Aethra) [mother of Theseus] to wife, but before the marriage took place he was banished from Korinthos (Corinth)." Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 1. 9 : "Among the reliefs on the base of the statue of Poseidon [at his main sanctuary on the Isthmos of Korinthos (Corinth)] are the sons of Tyndareus, because these too are saviours of ships and of sea-faring men. The other offerings are images of Calm and of Sea, a horse like a whale from the breast onward, Ino and Bellerophontes, and the horse Pegasos." Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 3. 5 : "The Korinthians (Corinthians) have baths in many parts of the city . . . The most famous of them is near the Poseidon.

It was made by the Spartan Eurykles (Eurycles), who beautified it with various kinds of stone, especially the one quarried at Krokeai (Croceae) in Lakonia. On the left of the entrance stands a Poseidon, and after him Artemis hunting. Throughout the city are many wells, for the Korinthians have a copious supply of flowing water . . . but the most noteworthy is the one by the side of the image of Artemis. Over it is a Bellerophontes, and the water flows through the hoof of the horse Pegasos." Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 27. 2 : "On the seat [of the statue of Asklepios (Asclepius) at Epidauros] are wrought in relief the exploits of Argive heroes, that of Bellerophontes against the Khimaira (Chimera), and Perseus, who has cut off the head of Medousa." Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 18.

13 : "[Amongst the scenes depicted on the throne of Apollon at Amyklai (Amyclae) near Sparta :] Bellerophontes is destroying the beast in Lykia (Lycia)." Pausanias, Description of Greece 9. 31. 3 : "Ascending about twenty stades from this grove [of the Mousai (Muses) on Mount Helikon in Boiotia (Boeotia)] is what is called the Horse's Fountain (Hippokrene). It was made, they say, by the horse of Bellerophontes striking the ground with his hoof." Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 6 Fragment 9 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) : “Bellerophontes, who was in exile because of a murder he had unwittingly committed, came to Proitos (Proetus) who exchanged hospitality with his father; and the wife of Proitos became enamoured of Bellerophontes because of his beauty, and since she was unable to win him by persuasion she accused him to her husband of having offered violence to her.

Now Proitos was unwilling to slay his guest, and so instead he sent him to Lykia (Lycia), having a written message to Iobates the king, who was his father-in-law. Iobates received the letter and discovered that in it was written that he should slay Bellerophontes with all speed; but, being unwilling to put him to death, he commanded him instead to go join combat with the fire-breathing Khimaira (Chimera).“ Oppian, Cynegetica 1. 225 (trans. Mair) (Greek poet C3rd A.D.) : "To Horses beyond all mortal creatures cunning Nature has given a subtle mind and heart . . . A horse [Pegasos] carried above the clouds him [Bellerophontes] that slew the Khimaira (Chimera)." Bellerophon, Pegasus and Chimera, Greek bas-relief B.C., British Museum Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 57 (trans.

Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "When Bellerophon had come as an exile to the court of King Proetus, Stheneboea, the King's wife, fell in love with him. On his refusal to lie with her, she falsely told her husband she had been forced by him. But Proetus, hearing this, wrote a letter about it, and sent him to Iobates, Stheneboea's father. After reading the letter, Iobates was reluctant to kill such a hero, but sent him to kill the Chimaera, a three-formed creature said to breathe forth fire. This he slew, riding on Pegasus, and he is said to have fallen in the Aleian plains and have dislocated his hip. But the king, praising his valor, gave him his other daughter in marriage, and Stheneboea, hearing of it, killed herself." Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 157 : "Sons of Neptunus [Poseidon] . . . Bellerophon by Eurynome, daughter of Nysus." Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 243 : "Women who committed suicide .

. . Stheneboea, daughter of Iobas, and wife of Proetus, killed herself out of love for Bellerophon." Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 273 : "Those who first conduction Games . . . Eleventh, those which the Argonauts conducted . . . Bellerophon won in the horse-race; in the four-horse chariot race, Iolaus, son of Iphicles, won over Glaucus, son of Sisyphus, and Glaucus' snappish horses tore him apart." Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 18 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : "[The constellation Pegasus.] This sign Aratus and many others have called Pegasus, offspring of Neptunus [Poseidon] and the Gorgon Medusa . . . At the time Bellerophon came to visit Proetus, son of Abas and king of the Argives, Antia, the king's wife, smitten with love for the guest, begged to visit him, promising him her husband's kingdom.

When she couldn't obtain this request, out of fear that he would accuse her to the king, she anticipated him by telling Proetus that he had offered violence to her. Proetus, who had been fond of Bellerophon, ws reluctant to inflict punishment himself, but knowing that he had the horse Pegasus, sent him to the father of Antia (some call her Sthenoboea), for him to defend his daughter's chastity and send the youth against the Chimera, which at that time was laying waste with flames the country of the Lycians. Bellerophon was victor, and escaped, but after the creation of the spring, as he was attempting to fly to heaven, and had almost reached it, he became terrified looking down at the earth, and fell off and was killed. But the horse is said to have flown up and to have been put among the constellations by Jove [Zeus]. Others have said that Bellerophon fled from Argos not because of Antia's accusations, but so as not to hear any more proposals which were distasteful to him, or to be distressed by her entreaties." Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2.

21 : "The Pleiades are called seven in number . . . Merope, wed to Sisyphus, bore Glaucus, who, as many say, was the father of Bellerophon." Ovid, Fasti 3. 449 (trans.Boyle) (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "It [Pegasus] had only just protested its strange bridling [by Bellerophon], when its light hoof dug Aonia's spring [the Hippocrene of Mount Helicon]." Propertius, Elegies 3. 3 (trans. Goold) (Roman elegy C1st B.C.) : "I dreamed that lying in the soft shade of Helicon, where flows the fountain of Bellerophon's horse [Pegasus]." Apuleius, The Golden Ass 8. 16 ff (trans.

Walsh) (Roman novel C2nd A.D.) : "I reflected that it was panic more than anything which had induced the celebrated Pegasus to take to the air, and that the tradition that he had wings was justified because he leapt upward as high as heaven in his fear of being bitten by the fire-breathing Chimaera." Nonnus, Dionysiaca 11. 142 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : "Glaukos' (Glaucus') horses went mad and threw him out on the ground. Quickwing Pegasos threw Bellerophontes and sent him headlong down from the sky, although he was of the seed of the Earthshaker and the horse himself shared the kindred blood of Poseidon." Nonnus, Dionysiaca 28. 167 ff : "Pegasos (Pegasus) flying high in the air as swift in his course as the wandering wind, threw Bellerophontes." ANCIENT GREEK & ROMAN ART Bellerophon Bellerophon See More Bellerophon Pictures > Bellerophon provides a lesson in the proper relationship between a mortal hero and the gods.

When he was young he honored the gods and won their favor, but eventually his pride got the better of him and led to his downfall. Bellerophon was the son of Poseidon and Eurynome , wife of Glaucus . He was raised by Glaucus who thought Bellerophon was his own son. Considering that both Poseidon and Glaucus were interested in horses, it is not surprising that Bellerophon quested after Pegasus . After many failures, he asked the seer Polyeidus for help. Following Polyeidus' instructions, he spent the night in a temple of Athena . There, he had a dream that the goddess offered him a magical, golden bridle. He awoke and found the bridle he dreamt about in his hands. He sensibly made a sacrifice to both Athena and Poseidon . Afterwards, he went to the meadow Pegasus was grazing at, and was able to bridle and tame the horse without difficulty. Triumphant in his success, he went to King Pittheus and received permission to marry his daughter Aethra . However, before the marriage, he accidentally killed a man, possibly one of his brothers, and was banished.

He went to King Proetus to be excused for his crime. The king pardoned him, but during his stay at Proetus 's house, the King's wife, Stheneboea , attempted to seduce him. As an honorable man Bellerophon rejected her advances. This infuriated Stheneboea who then falsely accused him of attempting to seduce her. Greatly upset, Proetus wanted to be rid of Bellerophon without having to accuse him publicly. He was also concerned about harming a house guest, as this was an offence to the gods. So, he sent Bellerophon to deliver a sealed message to his wife's father, King Iobates . Arriving on Pegasus , Bellerophon was warmly received and settled in as Iobates ' house guest. Iobates unsealed and read the message thus learning of Stheneboea 's accusations against Bellerophon . This left Iobates in the same predicament of acting against a guest that had troubled Proetus . Iobates ' solution was to ask Bellerophon to undertake a series of heroic, but deadly tasks.

However, Bellerophon 's courage and skill as an archer, combined with Pegasus ' help, allowed him to prevail. In addition, his parentage, his sacrifices, and his acts of honour gave him the favour of the gods. His first task was to kill the terrible Chimaera . Succeeding, he was sent to conquer the neighbouring Solymi tribe, which was Iobates ' traditional enemy. When he defeated them, the King sent him to fight the Amazons . He was again victorious. In desperation, Iobates led an ambush against Bellerophon using his entire army; the army was killed to the last man. At this point, Iobates had the wisdom to notice that something was very wrong. He realized that the gods favoured Bellerophon and that this favor would not have been given to a dishonorable house guest. Iobates succeed in making amends by giving Bellerophon half his kingdom, including the best farmlands and his daughter Philonoe in marriage. There are two stories concerning the fate of Stheneboea . One says that Bellerophon extracted revenge by taking her for a ride on Pegasus , then shoving her off to fall to her death.

In the other version, Stheneboea hears that Bellerophon has married her sister. She knows that this means her slander would be revealed and chose to kill herself. It appeared that Bellerophon would live happily ever after. His glorious deeds were widely sung. He was happily married. Philonoe bore him two sons, Isander and Hippolochus, and two daughters, Laodameia and Deidameia. As a king his subjects loved and honored him. However, this was not enough for Bellerophon . In his arrogance, he decided that he could ride Pegasus to Mount Olympus and visit the gods. Zeus quickly put an end to his trip by sending the gadfly to sting Pegasus and dismount Bellerophon . He survived his fall, but was crippled. He spent the rest of his life wandering the earth. No man would help him because of his offense to the gods. He died alone with no one to record his fate.

Question: Which hero of mythology killed the Chimera?
Answer: Bellerophon