Bellerophon and the Chimera

Bellerophon, a noble youth of Corinth, was sent to King Iobates of Lycia with a secret letter requesting his execution. Reluctant to kill a guest, Iobates instead assigned Bellerophon an impossible task: to slay the Chimera, a monstrous creature with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a venomous serpent that breathed scorching fire. Guided by the goddess Athena, Bellerophon found the mythical winged horse, Pegasus, drinking at the fountain of Peirene. Using a golden bridle provided by the goddess, he tamed the beast. Mounted on Pegasus, Bellerophon took to the skies, staying out of reach of the Chimera's flames. He rained arrows down upon the beast and finally thrust a lead-tipped spear into its mouth. The creature's fiery breath melted the lead, which trickled down its throat and killed it from within. Bellerophon returned a hero, but his success fueled a dangerous pride. Believing himself worthy of the gods, he attempted to fly Pegasus to Mount Olympus. Zeus, angered by such hubris, sent a gadfly to sting Pegasus, causing the horse to buck. Bellerophon fell from the heavens, landing on Earth as a blinded, lonely wanderer, serving as a permanent warning against the arrogance of mortals.

“For the wings of a god were never meant to carry the pride of a man.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of Bellerophon and the Chimera?

The primary moral is the danger of hubris, or overweening pride. While Bellerophon achieved greatness through bravery and divine help, his attempt to equal the gods led to his ultimate downfall.

How did Bellerophon defeat the Chimera?

Bellerophon utilized the aerial advantage of Pegasus to stay above the monster's flames. He eventually killed the beast by thrusting a lead-tipped spear into its mouth; the creature's own fire melted the lead, suffocating it.

What kind of creature is the Chimera?

The Chimera is a hybrid monster from Greek mythology, typically described as having the head of a lion, the body or second head of a goat, and a tail that ends in a living serpent.

Who helped Bellerophon tame Pegasus?

The goddess Athena assisted Bellerophon by appearing in a dream and providing him with a magical golden bridle, which allowed him to tame the wild, winged horse at the fountain of Peirene.

Why did Bellerophon fall from Pegasus?

Bellerophon grew arrogant and tried to fly Pegasus to the home of the gods on Mount Olympus. Zeus sent a gadfly to sting Pegasus, causing the horse to throw Bellerophon back to Earth.

What happened to Pegasus after Bellerophon's fall?

After Bellerophon fell, Pegasus continued his flight to Mount Olympus. He was welcomed by the gods and eventually became the bearer of Zeus's thunderbolts.