Bellerophon | |
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Member of the Corinthian Royal Family | |
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Other names | Hipponous |
Predecessor | Iobates |
Successor | Hippolochus |
Abode | Potniae, later Argos and Lycia |
Symbols | Cape, Spear |
Genealogy | |
Parents | Poseidon and Eurynome Glaucus and Eurymede |
Siblings | Deliades |
Consort | Philonoe Asteria |
Offspring | Isander, Hippolochus and Laodamia Hydissos |
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Greek mythology |
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Heroes and heroism |
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Bellerophon[1] or Bellerophontes (Ancient Greek: Βελλεροφών; Βελλεροφόντης; lit. "slayer of Belleros") or Hipponous (Ancient Greek: Ἱππόνοος; lit. "horse-knower"),[2] was a divine Corinthian hero of Greek mythology, the son of Poseidon and Eurynome, and the foster son of Glaukos. He was "the greatest hero and slayer of monsters, alongside Cadmus and Perseus, before the days of Heracles".[3] Among his greatest feats was killing the Chimera of the Iliad, a monster that Homer depicted with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail: "her breath came out in terrible blasts of burning flame."[4]
Bellerophon was also known for capturing and taming the winged horse Pegasus with the help of Athena's charmed bridle, and earning the disfavour of the gods after attempting to ride Pegasus to Mount Olympus.[5]