Concept
Bellerophon
Overview
Bellerophon or Bellerophontes (Ancient Greek: Βελλεροφῶν; Βελλεροφόντης, lit. 'slayer of Belleros') or Hipponous (Ancient Greek: Ἱππόνοος, lit. 'horse-knower'), 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". 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."
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.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
In the original texts
Passages from public-domain books where Bellerophon is discussed.
This man Bellerophon pursued with his Pegasus and slew him, and also defeated the Amazons, for which he obtained no due requital, but Iobates the king was most unjust to him; upon which Bellerophon went to the seashore, and made earnest supplication by himself to Neptune that he would render that country barren and unfruitful; and having said his prayers, he faced about. Upon which the waves of the sea arose and…
Plutarch, Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 1
names the idea; opens on it
Such is my lineage; such the blood I boast.260 He ceased. Then valiant Diomede rejoiced. He pitch’d his spear, and to the Lycian Prince In terms of peace and amity replied. Thou art my own hereditary friend, Whose noble grandsire was the guest of mine.[16]265 For Oeneus, on a time, full twenty days Regaled Bellerophon, and pledges fair Of hospitality they interchanged. Oeneus a belt radiant with purple gave To brave…
Homer, The Iliad of Homer
names the idea; opens on it
The Dionyso-musical enchantment of the sleeper now emits, as it were, picture sparks, lyrical poems, which in their highest development are called tragedies and dramatic dithyrambs. The plastic artist, as also the epic poet, who is related to him, is sunk in the pure contemplation of pictures. The Dionysian musician is, without any picture, himself just primordial pain and the primordial re-echoing thereof. The…
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, The Birth of Tragedy
states what it is
Among the Hesperian Æthiopians is the fountain of Nigris, by many, supposed to be the head of the Nile. Near this fountain, there is found a wild beast, which is called the catoblepas; an animal of moderate size, but its head is remarkably heavy, and it only carries it with the greatest difficulty, being always bent down towards the earth. Were it not for this circumstance, it would prove the destruction of the…
the Elder Pliny, The Boys' and Girls' Pliny
states what it is
“A city stands on Argos’ utmost bound, (Argos the fair, for warlike steeds renown’d,) Æolian Sisyphus, with wisdom bless’d, In ancient time the happy wall possess’d, Then call’d Ephyre: Glaucus was his son; Great Glaucus, father of Bellerophon, Who o’er the sons of men in beauty shined, Loved for that valour which preserves mankind. Then mighty Praetus Argos’ sceptre sway’d, Whose hard commands Bellerophon obey’d…
Homer, The Iliad
names the idea; opens on it
Related ideas
- Aristophanes
- Turkey
- Athena
- Hamlet
- Homer
- Hesiod
- Hero
- Heracles
- Atheism
- Ancient Corinth
- Joseph Campbell
- Middle Ages
- Pompeii
- Poseidon
- Greek mythology
- Pegasus
- Renaissance
- Theogony
- Geographica
- Zeus
- Ovid
- Lycia
- Strabo
- Columbia University
Place in the tradition
Part of Atheism.