BELLER'OPHON (origivally called Ihrrosous) was the son of the Corinthian king Glaucus, and Eurymeee, daughter of Sisyphus. Other accounts make Neptune his father. Having accidentally killed his brother, 13. fled to his relative Prcetus, king of Argos, by whom he was hospitably received and protected; but Anteitt, the spouse of Prtetus, having become enamored of him, and lie, like Joseph, having declined her over tures, she revenged herself after the manner of Potiphar's wife. This induced Prcetus to send his guest away to Iobates, king of Lycia, to whom 13. carried a sealed message.. After being entertained nine days at the court of Lycia, B. delivered the letter, which contained a request that lobates would cause the youth to be slain. This, however, Iobates Was reluctant to do in a direct way, as B. was his guest. He consequently imposed upon 13. the seemingly impossible task of slaying the formidable Chimaera (q.v.). B., mounted on the winged steed Pegasus (given to him by Pallas). ascended into the air, and succeeded in slaying the monster with his arrows. Afterwards, he was sent by
king Iobates AurIZOuS, whom he defeated. On his way home he destroyed an ambuscade of Lycians, which lobates had set for his destruction. That monarch now thought it useless to attempt his death, and as a sort of recompense, gave the hero in marriage his daughter Philonoe, by whom he had three children—Isander, Hippolochus. and Laodameia; such at least is the story as told by Apollodorus. who here concludes. homer relates that lie at last drew on himself the hatred of the gods, and wandered about iu a desolate condition through the Aldan field. Pindar relates that B. on Pegasus endeavored to mount to Olympus, when the steed, maddened by Jove through the agency of a gadfly, threw his rider, who was stricken with blindness. B.'s adventures were a favorite subject of the ancient artists. Sculptures have recently been discovered in Lyeia which represent him vanquishing the Chimera.