Bellerophon is a hero of greek mythology. He was a handsome, strong and brave warrior, considered a demigod. Bellerophon was the son of a human with a God (Poseidon).
legend of Bellerophon
Adopted son of Glaucus of Corinth, Bellerophon was very strong and fearless. When committing a crime, he runs away.
In Tyrinth, Bellerophon serves King Black (or Proethus) and for a time lives under the king's protection. However, the beautiful and seductive Queen Anteia begins to feel attracted to him. In all her advances, he begins to avoid her in fear of the king's punishment.
Increasingly outraged by Bellerophon's rejection, she decides to turn the tables. So Anteia tells her husband that Bellerophon is always making him indecent proposals.
Indignant, King Preto decides to talk to his father-in-law, the king of Lydia, Lobates, so that he can take charge of Bellerophon's death. So the hero was sent to Lobates' care.
Certain that Bellerophon would die, Lobates decides to send him to face Chimera, a large monster that released fire.
Bellerophon and Pegasus
Pegasus, the flying horse of Bellerophon
Pegasus is the winged (flying) horse of Bellerophon. It was he who took the hero to the place where Chimera was, a terrible monster that released fire from its mouth and nose.
Was Athena (or Minerva), the goddess of wisdom, who offered him a golden rein to tame the animal when Bellerophon was dreaming. With her Bellerophon caught Pegasus, who led him through the skies to Chimera's lair.
Bellerophon and Chimera
Chimera was a great beast that had the head of a lion and the body of a goat. On its back was another dragon's head.
At King Lobates' request, Bellerophon goes to the creature with the intention of killing it. So he shot an arrow into the heart of Chimera, who dropped dead.
Learn more by reading the articles:
- Greek mythology
- Greek gods
Curiosity
There is an extrasolar planet called Bellerophon (51 Pegasi b), named after the Greek hero. It was discovered in 1995 by Dr. Geoffrey Marcy and Dr. Paul Butler. The planet is located about 50 light years from Earth in the constellation Pegasus.
