BELLEROPHON

BELLEROPHON

The HEROIC FOOL or FOOLISH HERO that thought he was equal to Zeus. 

Thousands of years ago in the polis of Athens, there lived a young man named Bellerophon. He would have given all of the olives in the world for a chance to ride on the winged horse, Pegasus.

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One night, Bellerophon fell asleep in the temple to Athena and dreamed that the goddess of intelligence had given him a gleaming golden bridle that would make the flying horse tame. When he awoke, Bellerophon really did hold the golden bridle within his hands! Now, to find the incredible horse and Bellerophon could be a hero, just like Theseus and Perseus! Echoing off of the marble walls of the Parthenon was a whisper on the wind from none other than Athena herself… Corinth.   

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“Thank you, oh wise Athena,” admired Bellerophon as he rushed down the marble steps of the temple.

  

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Multiple Choice

STATUS QUO on the Hero's Journey is the way things are at the beginning for the hero. With Bellerophon's STATUS QUO, what was his one wish?

• to become a hero

• to ride the wild horse, Pegasus

• to meet Athena and become her husband

• to eat all of the olives in the world

Multiple Choice

ASSISTANCE on the HERO'S JOURNEY is getting aid from another, perhaps a sidekick or getting a gift to help you succeed. Who gives Bellerophon assistance?

• Hermes

• Athena

• Zeus

• Pegasus

Not long thereafter, Pegasus had flown to a clear cool spring in Corinth and Bellerophon tiptoed up to the winged horse and flung the bridle over his head. The horse neighed, looked into Bellerophon’s eyes and suddenly, he was tame. Bellerophon hopped upon the horse and they galloped through the air. Never had there been such a fine horse, and such a respected horseman! Athena looked on, hoping that Bellerophon would become a great hero.  

On the back of the flying horse, Bellerophon set off to fight the  dreaded Chimera, a fire-breathing beast that was ravaging the kingdom of Lycia, across the Aegean Sea. Over the clear blue waters they flew, ready to vanquish the beast. Now, before we go any further within this story, we need to learn a bit more about the Chimera.

The Chimera was more fearful than a nightmare.  The creature was the child of Echidna, she was known as the “mother of monsters” and her offspring included Cerberus, and the Chimera, as well as numerous other creatures in Greek mythology.  The creature had three heads: lion, serpent and goat.  Each head spat fire and its hide was incredibly tough; no weapon could pierce it.

Swooping down as close as he dared, without burning the coat of his winged horse, Bellerophon went at the monster with a lump of lead stuck to the end of a spear.  The Chimera hissed like a serpent, bleated like a goat and just as the beast opened its lion’s jaws to let out a horrifying roar, Bellerophon thrust the lump of lead down its throat. The flaming breath melted the lead, and the poison trickled into the beast’s stomach and killed it.  

The people of Lycia, who had been hiding in fear of the 3-headed beast, came out and cheered Bellerophon. Athena smiled down from Olympus, pleased that once again she had assisted another hero.  

Multiple Choice

What step on the HERO'S JOURNEY would be Bellerophon SLAYING the monster?

• STATUS QUO

• ASSISTANCE

• TRIALS

• DEPARTURE

The King of Lycia was very grateful and offered the hand of his daughter in marriage.  When the old king died, Bellerophon ruled the kingdom well.  He became a great king, loved by his people and feared by his neighboring kingdoms, as well as all of the monsters lurking nearby.  

However, his fame went to his head and he grew vain. Bellerophon thought he was as great as the gods and even dared to compare himself to Zeus! One day, Bellerophon left his comfortable life in his palace and soared on Pegasus up and up, trying to reach the entrance to Mount Olympus, home of the gods. 

 

Just as he was about to reach the gates, a lightning bolt shot from the sky, scaring Pegasus and knocking Bellerophon from the horse’s back. Bellerophon tumbled to the Earth, landing in a thistle thorn bush in the middle of a desert. Torn and lame, he wandered about as an unknown beggar until he died. Pegasus entered Mount Olympus alone, and the winged horse became the carrier of Zeus’ thunderbolts. 

Multiple Select

On the HERO'S JOURNEY, the hero will encounter SUPERNATURAL CREATURES. Identify the SUPERNATURAL CREATURES that Bellerophon encounters on his quest.

• Minotaur

• Pegasus

• Satyr

• Chimera

• Cerberus

Multiple Choice

When an author uses ALLUSION, they are referencing an idea the reader is supposed to understand: "a lightning bolt shot from the sky." Which Greek god is being alluded to within the text?

• Poseidon

• Zeus

• Hades

• Apollo

Multiple Select

Bellerophon battled the dreaded Chimera on his Hero's Journey. From the choices below, select each of the monsters that PERCY JACKSON has battled thus far on his journey.

• MINOTAUR

• ECHIDNA

• FURY

• CENTAUR

Multiple Choice

LIGHTNING THIEF- REVIEW for YOU

The 3 ladies knitting the socks of death is an allusion to which mythological characters?

• Three Furies

• Three Spinners

• Thread Cutters

• Three Fates

Multiple Choice

LIGHTNING THIEF- REVIEW for YOU

Mrs. Dodds is a goddess of vengeance, or Fury. Which Greek god does she serve?

• Zeus

• Poseidon

• Hades

• Hera