Theres
September 1st, 2008, 04:08 PM
this might be fun!
what i have in mind here is a thread which will explore all the animals of myth, whether fantasic mythological beasts or real animals who occur in the myths and legends.
the first up will be the Chimaera, an incredible beast which roamed ancient Caria (in Asia Minor). Chimaera had the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent, but i think Homer description is better than i can ever do...
"... a thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire".
Chimaera was finally slain by Bellerophon of Corinth (grandfather of Sarpedon and Glaucus, of Iliad fame) as part of a dubious quest he was sent on but not expected to complete without being killed.
however he was successful and became a great Hero, although this reputation was not to last.
more...
http://thanasis.com/modern/chimaera.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimera_(mythology)
here is an image of Chimaera as depicted on an ancient coin from Sikyon, near Corinth on the Peloponnese...
what i have in mind here is a thread which will explore all the animals of myth, whether fantasic mythological beasts or real animals who occur in the myths and legends.
the first up will be the Chimaera, an incredible beast which roamed ancient Caria (in Asia Minor). Chimaera had the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent, but i think Homer description is better than i can ever do...
"... a thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire".
Chimaera was finally slain by Bellerophon of Corinth (grandfather of Sarpedon and Glaucus, of Iliad fame) as part of a dubious quest he was sent on but not expected to complete without being killed.
however he was successful and became a great Hero, although this reputation was not to last.
more...
http://thanasis.com/modern/chimaera.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimera_(mythology)
here is an image of Chimaera as depicted on an ancient coin from Sikyon, near Corinth on the Peloponnese...