Bellerophon and the Conquest of Pegasus

Bellerophon and the Conquest of Pegasus

Bellerophon a Corinthian hero was a god in Greek mythology Son of Poseidon and Eurynome and adopted son of Glaucos He was the greatest hero and monster-slayer alongside Cadmus and Perseus before the time of Heracles His greatest feat was the slaying of the Chimera of the Iliad a monster with the head of a lion the body of a goat and the tail of a snake Its breath was a stream of fire Bellerophon was famous for slaying many ancient monsters as were Cadmus and Perseus before the time of Heracles He took a large bar of lead and mounted it on his spear He then flew straight at the Chimera extending his spear as far as he could reach

Before stopping the attack he thrust a lead rod into the Chimera's throat. The beast's fire breath melted the lead blocking her airway and suffocating her At the fortress of Corinth Bellerophon's hometown Bellerophon mounted his horse and flew back to Lycia where the Chimera was believed to live Some red pottery depicts Bellerophon holding Poseidon's trident instead Victorious over the Chimera he was destined to fly to Mount Olympus the home of the gods where he defeated Pegasus Bellerophon fell to the ground and died Many feats were accomplished but Bellerophon was not satisfied and attempted to ascend to heaven on the back of Pegasus but his arrogance sent the hero back to earth After that he wandered the world alone despised by both gods and men

The eternal fire of the Chimera in Lycia, present-day Turkey, the birthplace of the Chimera legend.

Zeus used him as a chariot for thunderbolts according to other stories. On the plains of Aleón Bellerophon blinded after falling into a thorn bush lived a miserable life devouring his own soul until he died Bellerophon is also known for capturing and taming the winged horse Pegasus with the help of Athena and angering the gods after attempting to ride Pegasus to Mount Olympus Bellerophon one of the legendary heroes of Corinthos as a young woman captured the winged horse Pegasus and drank from the city's fountain 

Bas-relief Bellerophon defeats a chimera while riding a Pegasus.

The untamed winged horse Polyades took Bellerophon to the temple of Athena While Bellerophon was asleep he dreamed that Athena placed a golden bridle beside him saying You are sleeping prince of the house of Iolaus Take this amulet and show it to your father who will present the white bull to him This amulet was there when he woke up and realized that he had to approach Pegasus as he drank from a well When asked Polyades told him which well was Pyrene the Unconquered