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Chimera

Short answer: In Greek mythology, the Chimera was a fire-breathing monster from Lycia. Homer's Iliad describes it as a lion in front, a serpent behind and a goat in the middle; later art shows a goat's head rising from its back and a snake for a tail.

The hero Bellerophon killed it with the help of the winged horse Pegasus. Today 'chimera' also means any mix of different parts.

VideoWrite-up2 sources
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What should you know about Chimera?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. The Chimera comes from Greek myth.

    DD-077-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Greek myth)

  2. It breathed fire.

    DD-077-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Fire)

Video transcript: Chimera: The Chimera Was a Lion, Goat and Serpent in One

In mythology, chimeras are typically depicted as creatures with the combined features of different animals. Did you know? The concept of the chimera has roots in ancient Greek mythology. Described by various sources, it's a fire-breathing monster with a body of a lion, the head of a goat protruding from its back, and a serpent's tail. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 22.6s Reel ·

Video coming soonChimera · Instagram Reel
Chimera: The Chimera Was a Lion, Goat and Serpent in One Instagram Reel · · 22.6s

The write-up

The Chimera was a lion, goat and serpent in one. The hero Bellerophon slew it riding Pegasus.

  1. Exhibit A

    Greek myth

    The Chimera comes from Greek myth.

  2. Exhibit B

    Fire

    It breathed fire.

  3. Exhibit C

    Three parts

    Lion, goat and serpent.

  4. Exhibit D

    Bellerophon

    Bellerophon killed it.

  5. Exhibit E

    Pegasus

    He rode Pegasus.

Questions people ask about Chimera

What did the Chimera breathe?

A monster.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Greek myth) · Wikipedia: Chimera (mythology)

Which animal head rose from its back?

In art.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Fire) · Wikipedia: Chimera (mythology)

What was its tail?

A snake.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Three parts) · Wikipedia: Chimera (mythology)

Who killed it?

With Pegasus.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Bellerophon) · Wikipedia: Bellerophon

Which poem describes it?

Homer.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Pegasus) · Wikipedia: Bellerophon

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What did the Chimera breathe?

    1. Fire
    2. Ice
    3. Poison gas
    4. Water
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Fire A monster. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Greek myth) · Wikipedia: Chimera (mythology)

  2. Which animal head rose from its back?

    1. A goat
    2. A bull
    3. An eagle
    4. A horse
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A goat In art. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Fire) · Wikipedia: Chimera (mythology)

  3. What was its tail?

    1. A serpent
    2. A fish
    3. A scorpion
    4. A peacock
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A serpent A snake. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Three parts) · Wikipedia: Chimera (mythology)

  4. Who killed it?

    1. Bellerophon
    2. Hercules
    3. Perseus
    4. Achilles
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Bellerophon With Pegasus. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Bellerophon) · Wikipedia: Bellerophon

  5. Which poem describes it?

    1. The Iliad
    2. Beowulf
    3. The Aeneid
    4. The Odyssey only
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The Iliad Homer. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Pegasus) · Wikipedia: Bellerophon

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Chimera." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-077, last updated Nov 11, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/chimera/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/chimera/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-077-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/chimera/#DD-077-F01