B is for Bellerophontes

Taken from here
Bellerophontes was a great lover of adventure, and while searching for it he met Proteus, whom he believed to be a friend. Proteus was jealous of Bellerophontes, and sent him to his father-in-law, the King of Lycia, along with a sealed letter asking him to kill him.
The King decided to ask Bellerophontes to kill the Chimera, a monster with the head of a lion and the tail of a dragon, that was terrorising their village at night, knowing that he would not survive the task. Bellerophontes, eager for adventure, was excited at this, and went to a wise man for some advice. This man told him that he would need the help of the winged horse Pegasus, and told him to spend the night in the temple of the goddess Athena, offering gifts in exchange for her help.
Athena came to his dreams with a golden bridle, and showed Bellerophontes the location of the well that Pegasus drank from. When he awoke, the golden bridle was laid beside him.
Bellerophontes went to the well and captured Pegasus, and they worked together to kill the Chimera. Bellerophontes was awarded the King's daughter as a wife for completing his task, and succeeded the King after his death.
However, Bellerophontes was restless, and craved more adventure. He decided to ride Pegasus to Mount Olympus, to visit the gods. Furious at his greed, Zeus sent a gadfly to sting Pegasus, who threw his rider, causing him to fall to the ground.
Bellerophontes spent the rest of his life crippled and alone, searching for the steed he lost because of his own greed, while Pegasus lived out his life on Mount Olympus, loyal to Zeus.

Comments

  1. Anonymous2 April 2013 at 10:22

    Aww such a sad ending!

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  2. Unknown2 April 2013 at 12:00

    Wow, I haven't read any mythology for years...this is interesting. Here from the A to Z!! Enjoy it!

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  3. Regina2 April 2013 at 12:21

    I'm really liking this re-introduction to mythology.

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  4. Miranda Hardy2 April 2013 at 12:30

    The Gods didn't always play nice.

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  5. Michael Di Gesu2 April 2013 at 12:30

    Hi, Laur,

    Whatcha great story. I really enjoy Greek mythology and this is one story I had never read. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. randi lee2 April 2013 at 13:19

    Very interesting--didn't know about this one. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  7. Nick Wilford2 April 2013 at 13:26

    I guess he pushed hos luck too far.

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  8. Nick Wilford2 April 2013 at 13:26

    *his* luck.

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  9. Franny Stevenson2 April 2013 at 13:55

    I love Greek mythology! I've studied it high school and I still love it! Do you know that there is a Japanese manga that speak of that? http://www.divertimento.it/fnts/divertimento/immagini/330x230/cover_pollon_1-11357829.JPG

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  10. Dani2 April 2013 at 14:11

    Another great post Laura! I'm gonna love this month!
    Dani @ Entertaining Interests
    #warriorminion

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  11. Bevimus2 April 2013 at 14:36

    Wow! I've never encountered this figured before, but I love all the stories involving Pegasus. Thanks for another great tale!

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  12. Susan Gourley/Kelley2 April 2013 at 15:53

    So many of the stories of the gods show how they cruelly kept humans in their place. Thanks for sharing this.

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  13. SK Anthony2 April 2013 at 16:23

    And that right there was a good lesson. Greed can really destroy the best of us. Loving your theme ;)

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  14. Mark Means2 April 2013 at 17:35

    I've never heard of this character...I've heard of Proteus, but not Bellerophontes.

    Great (and informative) post!

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  15. Unknown2 April 2013 at 17:38

    Dang, Olympians, why you gotta be so nasty?

    Lesson of the day; don't ever think the gods will like you. They don't :)

    Jamie @ Mithril Wisdom
    www.mithrilwisdom.com

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  16. Yolanda Renée2 April 2013 at 18:12

    Love mythology, but crippling the man for wanting to see Olympus -- excessive, unless his greed showed elsewhere in the stories, but not here.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Outcast2 April 2013 at 18:12

    I remember reading this or hearing about it and loving it Laura, it's such an interesting story.

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  18. Rob Z Tobor2 April 2013 at 18:36

    Moody bunch those gods you can see why they fell out of favour . . . . .

    Well done again C U at C

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  19. Tonja Drecker2 April 2013 at 18:41

    Those Gods always are a bit much, aren't they? I hadn't heard this story before. Looking forward to more :)

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  20. Unknown2 April 2013 at 18:59

    Wow! Great story. I'm learning a ton of new B words today - I didn't expect to see so much "off the wall" creation for the letter B. Enjoy the challenge, and please feel free to stop by http://www.deborahdera.com to see if I manage to keep up with this, too! :)

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  21. Unknown2 April 2013 at 19:11

    God, I love mythology! it has so many life lessons, so much potential to be used in writing nowadays...

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  22. Julie Flanders2 April 2013 at 19:14

    Greek mythology is so interesting! Love this post and looking forward to more.

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  23. Dana2 April 2013 at 19:25

    I'd never heard this story before. Such a sad ending.

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  24. Unknown2 April 2013 at 19:55

    What a great idea posting on this subject. Looking forward to reading more.

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  25. Anonymous2 April 2013 at 22:23

    Hi from the A-Z Challenge! I love how in mythology everyone always gets what's coming to them. ;)

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  26. Allison2 April 2013 at 22:40

    I loved Pegasus when I was a kid. Who can resist a beautiful flying horse, I ask you?

    Allison (Geek Banter)

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  27. Chancelet2 April 2013 at 22:48

    Puts you right into their mystical world. I also used to love Pegasus, and had a dream once of a flying horse that flew in through my bedroom window, fluttering around like a bird. It was so colorful and great.

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  28. Unknown2 April 2013 at 23:06

    I've been learning all day and I love it! This was a great story and a very creative take on the letter B. Great post!

    Karen

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  29. MaryAnn Pope3 April 2013 at 00:23

    Love your theme for the A to Z challenge. I've always been fascinated by mythology of all kinds, so I'll definitely be back to learn. :)

    Thanks for doing this.

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  30. Trisha3 April 2013 at 01:35

    Aww, poor little Pegasus getting stung like that! Great story.

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  31. Alex J. Cavanaugh3 April 2013 at 01:47

    Part of that story reminds me of the original Clash of the Titans.

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  32. Kimberly Gabriel3 April 2013 at 02:00

    I'm going to learn so much from your posts this month. ;)

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  33. Unknown3 April 2013 at 02:29

    I'm also enjoying the re-introduction to mythology. There's so much cruelty, but the stories are very precise about human nature on a grand scale.

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  34. Krista McLaughlin3 April 2013 at 03:24

    That Zeus was definitely cruel. I love learning from your posts!

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  35. KYRambler3 April 2013 at 04:51

    Awesome! I am so going to enjoy following this blog! Thanks!

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  36. Jessica Marcarelli3 April 2013 at 05:10

    I love coming here for my daily dose of mythology. Keep it coming!

    Jessica @ Visions of Other Worlds
    Twitter: @jmarcarelli, #atozchallenge

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  37. Unknown3 April 2013 at 06:08

    Loved reading your mythology post :) I haven't read any of my Bulfinch's in a long while. I had forgotten how neat it is :)

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