Mythical Creatures [EDITING]

Chimaera

The Chimaera - or Chimera - was said to be made out of three different creatures: lion, goat and serpent. A savage beast, sprouting fire from its mouth, it devastated the land until it was killed by the hero Bellerophon, who flew over it riding his winged horse .

The Chimera has been described as female, and that may be something related to her name that in ancient Greek means 'young she-goat'. Despite this rather humble name, she was of divine origin. Her father was the giant Typhon and her mother the half-serpent Echidna. 

Bellerphon and the Chimaera

Iobates, on perusing the letters, was puzzled what to do, not willing to violate the claims of hospitality, yet wishing to oblige his son-in-law. A lucky thought occurred to him, to send Bellerophon to combat with the Chimaera. Bellerophon accepted the proposal, but before proceeding to the combat consulted the soothsayer Polyidus, who advised him to procure, if possible, the horse Pegasus for the conflict. For this purpose he directed him to pass the night in the temple of Minerva. He did so, and as he slept Minerva came to him and gave him a golden bridle. When he awoke the bridle remained in his hand. Minerva also showed him Pegasus drinking at the well of Pirene, and at sight of the bridle, the winged steed came willingly and suffered himself to be taken. Bellerophon mounted, rose with him into the air, and soon found the Chimaera.

Flying above the Chimaera on Pegasus, Bellerophon rained down arrows on the creature, with little effect - the breath of the Chimera was so hot that it melted the hero's arrowheads. The beast was too strong and threatened to overwhelm him with its flaming breath. Bellerophon then attached a lump of lead to the point of his spear and thrust it between the Chimaera's jaws. The creature's fiery breath melted the lead, which trickled down its throat, burning its insides -- instantly killing her.

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Information from mythicalrealm.com

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