# Chimera (DD-077)

> 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.

- Department: History (also People)
- First published: 2023-11-11
- Last updated: 2023-11-11
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/chimera/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-077-F01**: The Chimera comes from Greek myth. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Greek myth))_
- **DD-077-F02**: It breathed fire. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Fire))_

## Write-up

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

1. **Greek myth**: The Chimera comes from Greek myth.
2. **Fire**: It breathed fire.
3. **Three parts**: Lion, goat and serpent.
4. **Bellerophon**: Bellerophon killed it.
5. **Pegasus**: He rode Pegasus.

## Related case files

- [Zeus @ Olympia (DD-096)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/zeus-at-olympia/): I linked more Greek myth

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

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

- Duration: 22.6 s · Published: 2023-11-11
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/CzhObStpw-e.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What did the Chimera breathe?**  
A: A monster. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Greek myth) · Wikipedia: Chimera (mythology))_

**Q: Which animal head rose from its back?**  
A: In art. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Fire) · Wikipedia: Chimera (mythology))_

**Q: What was its tail?**  
A: A snake. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Three parts) · Wikipedia: Chimera (mythology))_

**Q: Who killed it?**  
A: With Pegasus. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Bellerophon) · Wikipedia: Bellerophon)_

**Q: Which poem describes it?**  
A: Homer. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Pegasus) · Wikipedia: Bellerophon)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Chimera (mythology)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimera_(mythology))
- [Wikipedia: Bellerophon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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/