Bellerophon is a Greek hero who slew the mighty Chimera monster, saving the kingdom of Lycia, while riding the mighty Pegasus.
Bellerophon was the son of Poseidon and Eurynome. He was exiled from Corinth after murdering his brother, and found favor in Argos with King Proitos and his wife Queen Anteia. Queen Anteia fell in love with Bellerophon, but he would not betray the king’s trust. After he rejected the queen, she went to her husband and claimed that Bellerophon tried to violate her. Proitos wrote a letter to his father-in-law, King Iobates of Lycia, in an ancient script which could not be deciphered, with the message to kill the bearer of the letter and sent Bellerophon off with the letter to die. When Bellerophon arrived in Lycia, he was welcomed and feasted, and he instantly fell in love with King Iobates’ other daughter, Philonoe. When the king read the letter, however, he knew he could not break an oath to his son-in-law, but he also knew that he did not feel right killing a potentially innocent man. He came up with a compromise: the Chimera was a hideous creature, the sister of Hydra and Cerberus. She had been ravaging the countryside of Lycia, burning everything in her wake and eating charred bits of innocent people. He asked Bellerophon to kill the creature, thinking that the creature would kill Bellerophon instead. He promised Philonoe to Bellerophon if he succeeded.
Bellerophon went into the countryside and found a survivor who told him what the beast looked like. Then, he prayed to Athena, who told him that he first had to go and get the Pegasus, a white horse with wings, before going after the Chimera. Bellerophon waited at the rock of Corinth for the horse and managed to catch him using a special bit and bridle that Athena gave him. He took the Pegasus back to the countryside, sweeping over mountains until he found the Chimera. He killed her with a spear as the Pegasus soared around her; her blood was green. Eventually, she became nothing more than a smoldering pile of goo. King Iobates gave Bellerophon other dangerous tasks, such as defeating the Amazons, but Bellerophon survived those tasks, too.
Bellerophon was later permanently maimed when he rode the Pegasus back to Olympus, and in his excitement, he reared back, throwing Bellerophon back to Earth. Other versions of this myth claim that Bellerophon became arrogant because of his victory over the Chimera, and he believed he deserved a seat on Mount Olympus. Instead of the Pegasus rearing back out of joy, it reared back after Zeus sent an insect to sting it, sending Bellerophon tumbling back to Earth. Bellerophon became a wandering hermit after the fall, maimed and miserable until his death.
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Parents
Poseidon and Eurynome
Notable Myths
- Queen Anteia’s Unrequited Love
- King Proitos’ revenge
- Pegasus and the Chimera
Symbols / Attributes
- Spear
- Pegasus
Companions
Philonoe
How Tos about Bellerophon: Greek Hero
How can teachers create engaging classroom activities about Bellerophon?
Design interactive storytelling sessions. Invite students to retell Bellerophon's myths in their own words or act out scenes as a group. This approach boosts comprehension and makes learning memorable.
Incorporate visual aids to enhance understanding.
Use pictures, drawings, or comic strips of Bellerophon and Pegasus to help students visualize key moments. Visuals reinforce details and support diverse learning styles.
Facilitate discussion about character traits.
Lead a conversation on Bellerophon's qualities—such as bravery and determination—and ask students to share examples from the myth. Connecting traits to actions helps deepen character analysis.
Connect the myth to modern themes.
Encourage students to compare Bellerophon's challenges with obstacles faced today, fostering critical thinking. This strategy makes ancient stories relevant and sparks meaningful reflection.
Assess learning with creative projects.
Assign group posters, short presentations, or written reflections about Bellerophon and his adventures. Creative assessments give students opportunities to demonstrate understanding in fun ways.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bellerophon: Greek Hero
Who was Bellerophon in Greek mythology?
Bellerophon was a legendary hero in Greek mythology, best known for taming the winged horse Pegasus and defeating the monster Chimera. He was often associated with courage, adventure, and tragic downfall.
What is the story of Bellerophon and Pegasus?
Bellerophon tamed Pegasus with the help of a magical golden bridle given by the goddess Athena. Together, they completed difficult tasks, including defeating the Chimera, a fire-breathing monster.
Why did Bellerophon fight the Chimera?
Bellerophon was sent to kill the Chimera as a seemingly impossible challenge by King Iobates, who hoped he would not survive. Bellerophon succeeded with the help of Pegasus.
What lesson can students learn from Bellerophon’s story?
Bellerophon's story teaches about bravery, the importance of humility, and the dangers of pride. His successes were great, but his downfall came when he tried to reach the gods, showing the risks of overconfidence.
How is Bellerophon different from other Greek heroes?
Bellerophon is unique because he is closely linked with Pegasus and is famous for flying, unlike other heroes who fought mostly on foot. His tragic end also sets him apart from heroes like Hercules or Perseus.
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