Greek Mythology The Chimera is a hideous, fire-breathing monster, with the head of a lion, the head of a goat protruding from its back, and a serpent’s tail. Omissions? Read more about amazing ancient adventures in National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology. The Chimaera was a hybrid monster in Greek mythology, child of Typhoeus and Echidna and sibling of Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra. The Chimera was a fire-breathing monster from Greek mythology. In ancient myths, the Chimera was killed by Bellerphon on Pegasus when Bellerophon jammed a lead ball into its mouth. It was shown with three heads, each of a different animal, growing along the length of its body. poseidon. Finally, the monster’s lion tail morphs into a snake, with a venomous serpentine head replacing the lion’s natural puff of fur. The Chimera may be ancient Greece’s most bizarre creature—so bizarre that its name is now used to describe any creature with an unusual combination of animal traits. Usually depicted as a lion, with the head of a goat arising from its back, and a tail that ends in a snake's head, although more regent descriptions add a dragon to the amalgamation, which may affect the type of breath-weapon they have. But this monster’s most unusual and deadly weapon, by far, was her ability to breathe fire. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. But of course, there’s more to the Chimera than its lion features. The word is now used generally to denote a fantastic idea or figment of the imagination. This strange and terrifying creature was once thought to be invincible, but its reign of terror eventually came to a gruesome end. Am J Med Genet. (Even today, the name “chimaera” sometimes refers to a genetic puzzle.) It had the front of a lion, the torso of a goat, and the tail of a serpent. Bazopoulou-Kyrkanidou E(1). Together, Typhon and Echidna spawned many of the most dangerous beasts in Greece, including the Lynean Hydra, the Sphinx, the Nemean Lion, Cerberus, and, of course, the Chimera. The Greek Sphinx was said by Hesiod to be the offspring of Orthrus, the two headed monstrous dog, and the Chimera, the fire breathing monsters. It’s possible that Sekhmet’s legend inspired the Chimera. The Chimera as told in legends, met its fate at the hands of Bellerophon, a Greek hero. Greek’s finest scholars, including Pliny the Elder, Seneca, Cicero, Virgil, Ovid, Homer, Plato, Pindar, Hesiod, all contributed to the monster’s legend. 2018-7-2 - Explore tinnee686's board "chimera mythology" on Pinterest. User with this ability either is or can transform into a Chimera, a fire-breathing ferocious, mythological hybrid from Greek Mythology, composed of the parts of three animals — a lion, a snake and a goat. vi. She devastated Caria and Lycia until she was slain by Bellerophon. Greek’s finest scholars, including Pliny the Elder, Seneca, Cicero, Virgil, Ovid, Homer, Plato, Pindar, Hesiod, all contributed to the monster’s legend.Three thousand years before the ancient Greek Chimera appeared, the Egyptians worshipped a sun goddess named Sekhmet, who sometimes appeared as a fire-breathing lion. According to the belief, she lived in Lycia (Likya in modern Turkey) in Anatolia. Corrections? For a mate, he took the next most monstrous creature in Greece, a half-woman, half-serpent named Echidna. This matches the description found in Hesiod’s Theogony (7th century bc). Chimera, or chimère, in architecture, is a term loosely used for any grotesque, fantastic, or imaginary beast used in decoration. In Greek mythology, the Chimera (Greek ??µa? The goat’s head appears to be male, since it has horns and a beard. The fire spewed out from the goat’s head and devastated any challengers who approached the beast. 319, &c.), she was a daughter of Typhaon and Echidna, and had three heads, one of e… Chimaera has become one of the most famous female monsters described in Greek mythology. Chimera are minor enemies in God of War Ascension, and God of War III. The original Chimera died long ago at the hands of the hero Bellerophon, though lesser Chimera still prowl the labyrinth of Crete. 328 ; comp. ?a (Chímaira); Latin Chimaera) was a monstrous fire-breathing creature of Lycia in Asia Minor, composed of the parts of multiple animals: upon the body of a lioness with a tail that terminated in a snake's head, the head … ... was the first of the mythic heroes of Greek mythology whose exploits in defeating various archaic monsters provided the founding myths of the Twelve Olympians. More commonly though, the Sphinx was said to be the daughter of Typhon and Echidna, and this parentage would make the Sphinx sibling to the likes of the Nemean Lion, the Chimera, Ladon, Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra. The hero’s actions kills the fiery Chimera. Now, the young hero summoned Pegasus to his aid, and the two of them launched an aerial attack on the Chimera. The term is derived from the Chimera of Greek mythology, a fire-breathing monster that was part lion, part goat, and part dragon. She devastated Caria and Lycia until she was slain by Bellerophon. Chimera She was brought up by Amisodarus, king of Caria, and afterwards made great havoc in all the country around and among men. It had the head and body of a lion, as well as the head of a goat that was attached to its back, and a tail that ended on a head of a snake. 646.) Descriptions of the Chimera The Chimera was usually described as having three heads, like many monsters in ancient Greek legends. athena. Sir E. Cust, D.C.L., President. The King, however, was unwilling to kill Bellerophon, so he sent him to the King of Lycia in Asia, secretly requesting that he kill Bellerophon. Chimera, in Greek mythology, a fire-breathing female monster resembling a lion in the forepart, a goat in the middle, and a dragon behind. )”, in … It has a lion’s body, complete from head to tail. The Chimera’s image remained consistent throughout the Greco-Roman era. The Lernaean Hydra was a monster in Greek mythology. Chimaera – A Fire-Breathing Monster. The Chimera was rampaging in the area, and so King Iobates commanded the Greek hero Bellerophon to slay the Chimaera. Exaggerated ears and breasts show that the creature is female, even though it does have a short, ragged mane. In art the Chimera is usually represented as a lion with a goat’s head in the middle of its back and with a tail that ends in a snake’s head. God of War: Ascension A Chimera appears in God of War Ascension. Like most chimeric creatures in Greek mythology, the Chimera was a nasty piece of work. She ransacked many villages, mostly killing cattle but sometimes destroying houses and slaughtering innocent people as well. Who is the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Ares? The Chimera, in mythology, is a Greek monster with the body and head of a lion with a snake for a tail and a fire-breathing goat head coming from its back. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chimera-Greek-mythology. Greek Mythology tells us that the Chimera was actually female, the mane around her head was not sufficient to cover the ears, showing that the Chimera was female. But Iobates didn’t know that Bellerophon has a secret ally. chimera in Greek mythology, a fire-breathing female monster with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tale; any mythical animal with parts taken from various animals. The most common depiction gives it the head and front legs of a lion, a goat's head emerging from its back and a tail tipped with a snake's head (though sources vary whether its hind legs were like a lion's, goat's, or dragon's). Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Who led the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece? Enraged, Anteia turned to her husband, King Proetus, telling him that their guest had dishonored her and deserved to die. The Chimera or Chimaera (Template:Lang-el, Khimaira, from χίμαρος, khimaros, "she-goat") was, according to Greek mythology, a monstrous fire-breathing female creature of Lycia in Asia Minor, composed of the parts of multiple animals: upon the body of a lioness with a tail that ended in a snake's head, the head of a goat arose on her back at the center of her spine. The creature is the fire-breathing monster from Greek mythology which has the head of a lion, tail of a snake, and a goat's head protruding from its back. He rode into battle on the back of the winged horse, Pegasus. He challenged Bellerophon to kill the Chimera, fully expecting that the Chimera would kill Bellerophon instead. Author information: (1)Department of Oral Pathology and Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. Ov. It had the head of a lion, the torso of a goat, and the tail of a serpent. The Chimera was also seen as an omen, of sorts. As with all mythical creatures, there is the question of its origin. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). An aura of mystery has always surrounded this creature. Proteus saw huge potential in the boy, and he decided to pardon his crime. It lived in the lake Lerna in the region of Argolid in the Peloponnese. ix. greek. zues. From fruits to winged sandals, test your knowledge in this study of Greek and Roman mythology. She begged him to become her lover, and when he refused, she accused him of raping her. It had many heads and every time someone would cut off one of them, two more heads would grow out of the stump. The Chimera comes from ancient Greek mythology, appearing in paintings as early as the 6th century BC and in texts as early as the 8th century BC. It was one of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, the father and mother of all monsters respectively. A Chimera is a Greek monster with traits of the lion, the goat, and the serpent. photo. The Chimera (Greek: Χίμαιρα, Khimaira, from χίμαρος, khimaros, "she-goat") according to Greek mythology, is a monstrous creature that was composed of several different animals.The chimera is only one of several famous mythological hybrids. Chimeric creatures in Greek mythology and reflections in science. Godchecker guide to Chimera (also known as Chimaera), the Greek Demoness from Greek mythology. Different versions of Chimera mythology have slightly different descriptions, such as wings on the back or the back legs of a snake, but most follow the description above. Chimera was according to greek Mythology a monstrous fire-breathing hybird Creature of Lycia in Asia a minor composed of the Parts of more than one Animal. 1860, E. Cust, “The Chimeras: An Attempt to Show that the Compound Animals of the Assyrian Marbles are Representations of those Erected by Solomon and Jeroboam. By Lieut.-Gen. the Hon. (Read 1st and 8th December, 1859. King Proteus was outraged, but knowing that immortal blood ran in Bellerophon’s veins, he was afraid to punish the boy. Today, the word “chimera” can be used to describe any creature with a strange combination of animal parts. At last, he took a lead spear and hurled it into the creature’s fiery throat. The Chimera was a specific hybrid monster in Greek mythology. okamidenfan, gatoman62 and 2 others like this. She often appeared before natural disasters, mostly volcanic eruptions. When he was young, he committed a crime and was sent to King Proteus to be punished. According to Greek Mythology, Chimera a mythical creatures with the tail of a snake, the body of a lion, and the head of a goat. In Greek mythology, the Chimera was a fearsome, fire-breathing monster with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a dragon's tail. The Chimera comes from ancient Greek mythology, appearing in paintings as early as the 6th century BC and in texts as early as the 8th century BC. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In art the Chimera is usually represented as a lion with a goat’s head in the middle of its back and with a tail that ends in a snake’s head A fire-breathing hybrid, the Chimera would prove to be a worthy opponent for the Greek hero Bellerophon. The fore part of her body was that of a lion, and the hind part that of a dragon, while the middle was that of a goat. (Hom. Soaring above the monster on a winged horse, Pegasus, he shoots arrows at her. According to Hesiod (Theog. Bellerophon then attaches lead to his spear and thrusts it into the vicious beast. Chimera, in Greek mythology, a fire-breathing female monster resembling a lion in the forepart, a goat in the middle, and a dragon behind. CHIMAERA (Chimaira), a fire-breathing monster, which, according to the Homeric poems, was of divine origin. The King of Lycia was just as hesitant, for Bellerophon had been his guest for o… THE CHIMERA IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY The Chimera is one of the most famous, and fearsome, of monsters to appear in the tales of Greek mythology. At its most basic level, the Chimera is a female lion. Updates? Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Il. Franchises like Yu-Gi-Oh, Wrath of the Titans, Percy Dragon, American Dragon, Final Fantasy, and World of Warcraft have all used the Chimera to test their heroes. The fire-breathing monster melted the lead with its breath and the molten lead flowed down its throat and eventually killed it. art. Greek Mythology. The Chimera (Greek: Χίμαιρα, Khimaira, from χίμαρος, khimaros, "she-goat") according to Greek mythology, is a monstrous creature that was composed of several different animals.The chimera is only one of several famous mythological hybrids. The creature also has a goat’s head, rising from between its shoulder blades. The ball melted, killing it with lead poison and suffocation. The hero Bellerophon had an affair with Anteia, but broke it off suddenly and would have no further contact with her. In extended usage, the term may be used for a thing which is hoped or wished for but in fact is illusory or impossible to achieve. (Greek mythology) Alternative letter-case form of Chimera (a flame-spewing monster often represented as having two heads, one of a goat and the other of a lion; the body of a goat; and a serpent as a tail).quotations ▼ 1.1. Instead, he sent him to his father-in-law, King Iobates, who devised a clever way to get rid of the young offender. There, the lead melted and spread throughout her body, burning her from the inside out. The Chimera of Arezzo is a bronze statue sculpted by the Etruscans of northern and central Italy during the 5th-4th century BCE. mythology. Chimaera. The Chimera has a small appearance in Greek mythology. Bellerophon fought defeated the Chimaera by placing a lump of lead on his spear and holding it in front of its mouth. Chimera, in genetics, an organism or tissue that contains at least two different sets of DNA, most often originating from the fusion of as many different zygotes (fertilized eggs). As with all mythical creatures, there is the question of its origin. chimera (plural chimeras) 1. god. The Chimera was reputed to be “near invincible,” for she had the strength of a lion, the cunning of a goat, and the venom of a snake. The Chimera in Greekmyth was a fire-breathing monster resembling a cross between a lion, a goat and a serpent. She had a terrible temper and no civilized instincts. 180, xvi. Pegasus, the mighty winged horse, was Bellerophon’s half-brother, and the two of them had spent many happy days together in their childhood. Bellerophon was a son of Poseidon and a beautiful mortal woman. The Chimera was one of the offspring of a legendary pairing: Typhon and Echidna. irmafan cool. Met. Monstrous daughter of Typhon, Echidna, and some weird and unsavory sex toy Three thousand years before the ancient Greek Chimera appeared, the Egyptians worshipped a sun goddess named Sekhmet, who sometimes appeared as a fire-breathing lion. 2001 Apr 15;100(1):66-80. The Chimera also was known as a Chimaera, and in Greek the name typically means she goat. chimera . Another common depiction shows it with only one head, having the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and t… She terrorized the people of Lycia until … However, the classic lion-goat-serpent Chimera still has a place in fantasy and sci-fi. For years, the Chimera roamed the Lynean countryside unchallenged, since “not even a quantity of men could subdue it with ease, let alone one.” But her legend didn’t take the hero Bellerophon into account. 1. 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