Kimera

Kimera, also known as Chimera, is a creature from Greek mythology. It is described as a monstrous fire-breathing hybrid, typically depicted as a lion, with the head of a goat arising from its back, and a tail that ended in a serpent's head. The Chimera was the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, and a sibling to other famous monsters such as Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra.

The most famous myth involving the Chimera tells of its defeat by Bellerophon, a hero of Corinth. Bellerophon, mounted on his winged horse Pegasus, was tasked by King Iobates of Lycia to slay the beast. After a fierce battle, Bellerophon succeeded in killing the Chimera, often by using his spear to melt its fiery breath, or by attaching a lead weight to his spear and thrusting it into the Chimera's throat, causing its own fire to consume it.

The Chimera’s origins and exact depiction vary slightly in ancient texts, but the core image of a composite monster remains consistent. It has been interpreted as a symbol of unnatural combinations or a representation of the forces of nature that were feared by ancient peoples. The term "chimera" has since entered modern language to describe any mythical or fictional creature composed of parts of various animals, or more broadly, an impossible or vain hope or endeavor.