Agora Auctions, LLC
Numismatic Auction 55 10 May 2016
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Sikyonia, Sikyon. Ca. 330 B.C. AR drachm (19.2 mm, 5.48 g, 1 h). Chimaera advancing left; ΣE below / Dove flying left within olive wreath. BCD 219; BMC 56. aVF.
The earliest description of the Chimera 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 Chimera 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.
The earliest description of the Chimera 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 Chimera 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.