Why Did Bellerophon Kill Chimera?

Bellerophon is a Greek hero who slew the mighty Chimera monster, saving the kingdom of Lycia, while riding the mighty Pegasus. Bellerophon was the son of Poseidon and Eurynome. He asked Bellerophon to kill the creature, thinking that the creature would kill Bellerophon instead. ...

Why was Bellerophon asked to kill the Chimaera by Iobates?

Bellerophon was sent into exile to the land of King Iobates. Proetus (king of Argos and Tiryns) wanted Iobates to kill Bellerophon, but Iobates feared the wrath of the gods if he murdered a guest. So he sent Bellerophon on a mission that he deemed impossible: to kill a fire-breathing monster, the Chimera.

How does Bellerophon kill the Chimaera?

Bellerophon was able to use his winged horse Pegasus and he thus managed to fly above the Chimera, repeatedly firing arrows into the back of the monster with his bow. The weakened Chimera was finally killed when Bellerophon attached a lump of lead to the end of his spear and thrust this into the monster's mouth.