Bellerophon

Bellerophon, also known as Bellerophontes in Greek mythology, is a legendary hero associated with Corinth and Lycia. In the principal traditions he is a nobleman who achieves great feats but is ultimately undone by hubris. His parentage varies by account: most often he is described as the son of Glaucus, king of Corinth, though some sources name Poseidon as his father.

His most famous exploits begin with the aid of divine assistance. Athena is said to have provided him with a magical bridle that enabled him to tame the winged horse Pegasus. Riding Pegasus, Bellerophon is able to pursue and slay the Chimera, a monstrous creature typically described as a lion-bodied head with a goat’s body and a serpent for a tail. The Chimera’s destruction marks one of his most celebrated feats and becomes a symbol of human prowess aided by divine help.

However, Bellerophon’s success feeds a excessive pride. He attempts to ascend to Olympus on Pegasus. Zeus intervenes by sending a gadfly to sting the horse, causing Pegasus to bolt and throwing Bellerophon to the ground. He is left severely humbled and disabled, and in many tellings spends the rest of his life in exile or wandering. Some later traditions claim he dies in obscurity; others say he is transformed into a constellation or otherwise honored after death.

Bellerophon’s story is often read as a cautionary tale about ambition and the dangers of overreaching after divine favor. It appears in various ancient sources and has influenced later literature and art as a staple example of heroic but flawed achievement.