PELOPONNESOS. Sikyonia. Sikyon. AR Triobol (Hemidrachm), ca. 330/20-280 B.C. BCD Peloponnesos-292; HGC-5, 213. Obverse: Chimaera standing left, raising forepaw; ΣI below; Reverse: Dove flying left; pellet above tail feathers. very fine. 2,79 gm, 16 mm
The earliest description of the Chimaera comes from Homer's Illiad, "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."There are a few myths associated with the Chimaera, but the most popular is from Corinth, where the beast attacked the city on a nightly basis, carrying off women, children, and livestock. Athena appeared to Bellerophon in a dream and gave him the golden bridle, allowing him to tame the Pegasos. Belleraphon was able to slay the Chimera while riding Pegasos, by driving a spear through its heart. Another variation of the myth is that the spear ended with a clump of lead, when heated by the Chimera's flaming breath, melted and sealed the monster's throat.
