"Chimera"

GREEK MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURES


Parents : Typhon
Siblings : Cerberus, Hydra

The Chimera (alternately Kimera, Chimaera, etc.) is a mixed beast from Greek lore whose body typically consists of various bits of lion, goat, and serpent (sometimes dragon) and it is known to breathe fire. The Greek hero Bellerophon was known to have fought and defeated the singular chimera of ancient Greek lore. Bellerophon defeated the Chimera by placing a lump of lead on his spear and holding it in front of it's mouth. The fire-breathing monster melted the lead with it's breath and the molten lead flowed down it's throat and eventually killed it.


Mythological Origin :

The chimera featured in the story of Bellerophon was one of the offspring of the monster Typhon and his niece, the drakaina Echidna. As such, it is the sister of Cerberus, Orthrus, the Nemean Lion, the Lernaean Hydra, Scylla, and many other monsters. Other legends attribute the Nemean Lion to be the offspring of the chimera rather than her brother.
According to Homeric poems, the Chimera was of divine origin.