Can a hero on a flying horse defeat this terrible, fire-breathing monster?
Learning Objective: Students will determine the series of events that lead to Bellerophon becoming a hero in the Greek myth of Bellerophon and the Chimera.
Horrible Monsters
Greek myths are packed with weird and terrifying creatures like the Chimera. Defeating these monsters gives heroes a way to prove themselves.
Prologue
N1: Long ago in ancient Greece, there was a young man named Bellerophon.
N2: He lived in Lycia (LYE-shuh), a kingdom by the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.
N3: His mother, Eurynome, was a wise woman who loved her son.
N1: And Bellerophon’s father?
N2: Poseidon, god of the sea!
N3: People expected big things from Bellerophon.
N1: After all, the children of other gods had done great things.
N2: Perseus (PER-see-us), son of Zeus (zooss)—you know Zeus, king of the gods—had killed a beast whose hair was a thousand angry snakes.
N3: Yikes.
N1: And Jason, the grandson of the messenger god Hermes (HER-meez), had defeated a dragon.
N2: Bellerophon knew about these heroes. But he was happy just riding horses, shooting his bow and arrow, fishing—that kind of thing.
N3: He rarely thought of his father, up there on Mount Olympus with the other gods.
N1: But soon, all that would change. You see, trouble was brewing
nearby . . .
Scene 1
The Palace of King Iobates
N2: Iobates—King of Lycia—is in a mood.
N3: He’s feeling nervous that someone might try to take his throne and become king.
N1: Also, he’s bored.
N2: It’s a terrible combination, really.
Royal Adviser: Here’s an idea, sir. Our kitchens are overflowing. Give the people food so that they stay calm and won’t even think of challenging you.
King Iobates: What? That food is mine!
Royal Adviser: Of course, sir. My mistake.
King Iobates: We could chop someone’s head off. It’s not original, but it sends a message. Ooh, how about Bellerophon! He’s way too popular with the people. Let’s kill him before he gets any big ideas!
Royal Adviser: But sir, killing someone in your court will anger the gods.
King Iobates: Ugh, you’re right.
N3: Just then, the Royal Messenger bursts in.
Royal Messenger: I bring terrible news from the nearby kingdom of Caria (KEHR-ee-uh)!
King Iobates (excitedly) : Wonderful!
Royal Messenger: A horrible monster is burning their fields and eating their sheep. None of Caria’s soldiers can defeat it!
King Iobates (stroking his beard) : Interesting. I do love a good monster.
Jim McMahon/Mapman ® (Map); Photograph by Carole Raddato (Pirene Fountain); Tunart/Getty Images (Lycia); Shutterstock.com (All Other Images)
The Location
Some stories in Greek myths are thought to be based on real events. Others are made up. Many places in this myth, like Lycia, really existed. The ruins of these ancient places still remain.
Scene 2
The Town Square
N2: The people worriedly gather in the square.
N3: King Iobates steps onto the stage.
King Iobates: People of Lycia! A beast attacks our neighbors! Because I am wise and generous, I have chosen one of our own to defeat the monster—or die trying! And the lucky winner is . . . Bellerophon!
N1: All eyes turn to Bellerophon.
Bellerophon: Ummm . . . Mom?
Eurynome (worriedly) : What is this beast you are sending my son to defeat, sir?
King Iobates: Oh, it’s called, ummm . . .
N2: The messenger whispers in the king’s ear.
King Iobates: The Chimera (kye-MIHR-uh)!
N3: The crowd gasps.
Villager 1: The Chimera is impossible to kill!
Villager 2: It has three heads—a lion’s, a goat’s, and a snake’s!
Villager 3: And it breathes fire!
King Iobates: And best of all—it flies too!
N1: Bellerophon gulps.
King Iobates: Don’t worry, Bellerophon. We’ll give you a glorious funeral!
Art By Randy Pollak
Athena was the goddess of wisdom and war.
Scene 3
Bellerophon’s Home
Shutterstock.com
Mighty Gods and Goddesses
In ancient Greece, people believed in powerful gods and goddesses who controlled everything, from the weather to who won battles. The most important gods were believed to live at the top of Mount Olympus (above), a real mountain in Greece.
N2: Eurynome tries to calm her hysterical son.
Bellerophon: I can’t defeat a three-headed, fire-breathing, flying beast!
Eurynome: Don’t forget, son, you have the gods on your side. Your father is Poseidon, after all.
N3: Bellerophon feels a flicker of hope.
Bellerophon: What should I do?
Eurynome: Gather your bow and arrow and go see my friend Polyidus. He’s a seer—he can see the future. He’ll know what to do.
Art by Randy Pollak
Poseidon was the god of the sea and water.
Scene 4
A Cave Near Lycia
N1: Bellerophon hikes to Polyidus’s cave.
N2: He finds the seer leaning against the cave entrance.
Polyidus: Bellerophon! You look just like your father! Handsome fellow, that Poseidon.
Bellerophon: How did you know—
Polyidus: Well, I am a seer. I knew you were coming here before you did! Unfortunately, I’ve got some bad news. I’ve seen the future, and the Chimera burns you to a crisp.
N3: Bellerophon gasps in horror.
Polyidus: Kidding! I can’t see everything. I don’t actually know what’s going to happen to you.
N1: Bellerophon’s knees start shaking.
Polyidus: I’m sorry, I really can’t resist a good joke! Here’s what I do know. You need Pegasus.
Bellerophon: The magical flying horse that can’t be tamed?
Polyidus: That’s right! You want to defeat a flying monster? You gotta get yourself some wings!
Bellerophon: But how do I tame Pegasus?
Polyidus: Go to the Temple of Athena.
Bellerophon: But doesn’t Pegasus live—
Polyidus: Bye now! Off you go!
Scene 5
The Temple of Athena
N2: At the temple, Bellerophon waits.
N3: And waits. And waits.
N1: Nothing happens—no horse, no Athena, no nothing. He drifts off to sleep.
N2: Meanwhile, up on Mount Olympus, Athena sharpens her spear.
N3: Poseidon approaches her nervously—the two gods have never really gotten along.
Poseidon: Athena! Nice weather up here these days, eh? How are the kids? Are they—
Athena (rolling her eyes) : What do you want?
Poseidon: Right, right, sure. So, my son is being forced to fight the Chimera by that awful king in Lycia, and he needs to tame Pegasus.
N1: Athena chuckles.
Athena: Well, if you’re asking me for help, you must be desperate. I’ll see what I can do.
Poseidon: Thanks. I owe you one.
N2: Athena heads to her temple. She finds Bellerophon tossing and turning in his sleep.
Athena: Poor kid. It’s not his fault his father is annoying.
N3: She waves her spear, and a sparkling golden harness appears out of thin air.
N1: As she leaves, Bellerophon wakes up.
Bellerophon: Weird! I dreamed I was taming Pegasus with a golden . . . hey!
N2: He spots the harness.
N3: As he picks it up, it glows in his hand.
Bellerophon: Maybe the gods are on my side . . .
Scene 6
Pirene Fountain
N1: Bellerophon arrives at the Pirene (pye-RAY-nay) Fountain, where Pegasus lives.
N2: The horse’s coat and wings gleam in the sun as he sips from the fountain.
N3: As Bellerophon slowly approaches, Pegasus looks up, alarmed.
N1: The horse stomps the ground.
Pegasus (angrily) : Neigh!
Bellerophon: Whoa, buddy! I come in peace.
N2: Bellerophon throws up his hands to protect himself . . .
N3: . . . and Pegasus sees the harness in his hand.
N1: The horse calms right away.
Pegasus (gently) : Neigh.
N2: He bows his head, allowing Bellerophon to put the golden harness on him.
Bellerophon (with wonder) : It’s a perfect fit.
N3: Pegasus kneels, and Bellerophon climbs on his back.
Bellerophon: Thank you, Pegasus. To Caria!
Art by Randy Pollak
What Makes a Hero?
In myths, characters become heroes by completing difficult tasks that test how strong, brave, and smart they are. Often, the task is to defeat a terrifying monster.
Scene 7
The Skies Over Caria
Attributed to the Ixion Painter/Rogers Fund, 1906/Metropolitan Museum of Art
The image of Bellerophon and Pegasus was often featured on coins and vases in ancient times.
N1: Pegasus and Bellerophon fly over forests and fields that have been turned to ash.
N2: All of a sudden, they come upon the Chimera, roaring mightily over Caria.
N3: Villagers try to take cover.
Crowd: Help! Help!
N1: As Pegasus swoops in, the Chimera spins around and flies after them, spitting fire.
N2: Pegasus evades the fire, which hits the city and burns everything in sight.
N3: Bellerophon shoots arrows at the monster.
N1: But the arrows bounce off the Chimera’s thick skin like tiny
pebbles . . .
N2: . . . and do nothing but annoy the beast, which angrily rains more fire down on Caria.
Bellerophon: Pegasus, it’s no use! I can’t defeat this monster. My arrows are useless. The more I shoot, the more Caria burns!
Pegasus (encouragingly) : Neigh!
Bellerophon: You’re right. I can’t give up. We must lure the monster away from the city! But how?
N3: Suddenly, Bellerophon sees the sun glinting off the ocean and gets an idea.
Bellerophon: To the water, Pegasus!
N1: As Pegasus flies to the ocean, the Chimera follows.
N2: Its fiery breath hisses as the flames harmlessly hit the water.
Bellerophon: Circle the beast as fast as you can!
N3: As Pegasus picks up speed, the Chimera gets dizzy.
N1: It stumbles and falls toward the sea.
N2: And then, in a great cloud of black smoke, the beast dissolves into the ocean’s depths.
Scene 8
The Palace of King Iobates
N3: The villagers of Caria lead their heroes back to Lycia.
Crowd: Long live Bellerophon and Pegasus!
N1: As they arrive at the doors of the palace, Eurynome rushes to Bellerophon.
N2: Mother and son hug as the king appears.
Bellerophon: I’ve done as you wished, sir, and killed the Chimera. I guess I won’t be needing that funeral after all.
King Iobates: Then I’ll have to finish what the Chimera couldn’t!
N3: The king draws his sword and lunges at Bellerophon. The crowd gasps.
N1: Bellerophon and his mother leap onto Pegasus.
N2: Pegasus sails into the air and flies away.
Eurynome: I knew you could do it, son.
Bellerophon: I couldn’t have done it without you, Mom. Or you, Pegasus.
Eurynome: Or the gods!
Pegasus (victoriously): Neigh!
N3: They all fly toward a future promising many more adventures and victories.
Write to Win
Write a series of journal entries from Bellerophon’s point of view, telling what he goes through as he becomes a hero. Include how his challenge starts, who helps him, and what he does. Send it to “Chimera Contest” by November 1, 2022. Five winners will each receive a $20 gift card to the online Scholastic Store. Visit the Storyworks Contests page for more information.
This play was originally published in the September 2022 issue.
Table of Contents
Close Reading, Critical Thinking
4. Differentiate and Customize
Striving Readers, Advanced Readers, Multilingual Learners
1. Preparing to Read
Introduce the Story (5 minutes)
Build Knowledge, Introduce Vocabulary, and Set a Purpose for Reading
Before reading, poll the class to see if students are familiar with Greek mythology. Then show our dazzling video All about Greek mythology to build knowledge about Greek myths and why they’re relevant today.
Introduce vocabulary by showing or digitally sharing our Vocabulary Slideshow. Follow up before or after reading with the Vocabulary Skill Builder. Highlighted words: hysterical, harness, gleam, evades, lure, glinting, dissolves, lunges
Call on a volunteer to read the Up Close box on page 23.
Finally, before reading, listen to our Pronunciation Guide as a class to learn how to pronounce the names of certain characters and places in the play.
2. Reading the Play
Assign parts and read the play aloud as a class or in groups. You can also listen to an Editor Read-Aloud of the play (available in your Resources tab)!
Close-Reading Questions
Read the Prologue. Who was Bellerophon, who were his parents, and why did people have high expectations of him? (key idea) Bellerophon was a young man who lived long ago in ancient Greece in a kingdom called Lycia. His mother, Eurynome, was a wise woman who loved her son. His father was Poseidon, god of the sea. People had high expectations of Bellerophon because his father was a god, and the children of other gods had done great things, like defeating horrible monsters.
Based on Scene 1, what are three words you would use to describe King Iobates? Explain the words you selected. (character) Students may choose words like evil, jealous, scared. Iobates is evil because he takes joy from other people’s sorrow; he appears happy that a horrible monster is destroying the nearby kingdom of Caria. He is jealous and scared because he thinks that Bellerophon wants to take his throne, though he has no reason to believe this.
How does Bellerophon feel about fighting the Chimera in Scenes 2 and 3? How do you know? How do his feelings change from Scene 2 to Scene 3? (character/text evidence) Bellerophon is clearly frightened about fighting the Chimera. When in Scene 2, King Iobates selects Bellerophon to defeat the monster, Bellerophon’s reaction is “Ummm . . . Mom?” He likely hopes his mom will step in and talk the king out of it. In Scene 3, Bellerophon is “hysterical.” He exclaims, “I can’t defeat a three-headed, fire-breathing, flying beast!” He feels that killing the Chimera is impossible. Finally, at the end of Scene 3, his mom reminds him that his father is Poseidon, which gives Bellerophon a little bit of hope.
In Scene 5, why does Athena decide to help Bellerophon? (character’s motivation) Bellerophon’s father, Poseidon, asks Athena to help his son. Athena feels bad for Bellerophon because he’s being forced to fight the Chimera by the horrible King Iobates, and she sees him “tossing and turning in his sleep.” Though Athena doesn’t like Poseidon, she decides to help Bellerophon because “It’s not his fault his father is annoying.”
Reread Scene 7. How does Bellerophon defeat the Chimera? Be sure to explain what happens in the same order as in the scene. (sequence of events) At first, Bellerophon is having a hard time defeating the monster. His arrows bounce off the Chimera’s thick skin. As a result, the Chimera gets angry and shoots more fire onto the city of Caria. So Bellerophon decides to lure the monster away from the city to the ocean, where the beast’s flames are ineffective. Bellerophon asks Pegasus to circle the monster as fast as he can. The Chimera gets dizzy, stumbles, and falls into the sea, where it dissolves.
How do Pegasus and Bellerophon work together as a team in Scene 7? (key details) Bellerophon has a moment of self-doubt when he realizes that his arrows are only making the Chimera angrier, which causes the monster to spit more fire on Caria. Pegasus neighs to encourage Bellerophon to not give up. Bellerophon then comes up with the idea to fly to the ocean. He instructs Pegasus to fly there, and together they defeat the Chimera.
Critical-Thinking Questions
What is the big idea of this myth? (theme) Answers will vary. Students will likely write about how working with others can help one face life’s challenges. Bellerophon could not have defeated the Chimera without help from his mom, Polyidus, Athena, and Pegasus. Alternatively, students may write about the importance of persisting when faced with a challenge. Throughout the play, there were several points when Bellerophon was afraid or unsure of what to do next. At one point, Bellerophon thought about giving up. However, he decided to continue his quest and was able to defeat the Chimera.
How does Bellerophon change throughout the play? (character) Bellerophon grows from a boy into a hero. At the beginning of the play, Bellerophon is content “just riding horses, shooting his bow and arrow, fishing.” When King Iobates asks him to kill the Chimera, his initial reaction is fear and anxiety. However, Bellerophon rises to the challenge. Though he faces a moment of self-doubt when his arrows are unable to stop the Chimera, he persists with his quest. Showing cleverness and bravery, he is able to defeat the monster.
3. Skill Building and Writing
Featured Skill: Sequence of Events
Assign the Sequence of Events Skill Builder or assign the Slide Deck. Have students complete it independently or together with a partner. This skill builder will help prepare students to respond to the writing prompt on page 27.
Differentiate and Customize
The fast-paced nature of this play may make it difficult for students to keep track of key events. Ask students to make a storyboard. Give them a piece of paper divided into four sections on one side and four sections on the back. Explain that each section is for a different scene in the play (minus the Prologue). Students should label the top of each section with the scene number. Ask students to draw a picture for each scene, illustrating what they feel is the most important part. Students should provide a caption at the bottom of each picture.
Have students write about what Bellerophon and Pegasus’s next adventure might be! Will they have any more run-ins with the evil King Iobates? Will they be called upon to defeat another monster? Will the gods continue to help them?
This story uses some idiomatic words and phrases that might be unfamiliar to multilingual learners: trouble was brewing (something bad was about to happen), flicker of hope (a little bit of hope), drifts off to sleep (gradually falls asleep), I owe you one (I will do something for you in the future to repay you for your help), I come in peace (I have friendly intentions). As you read the story with students, pause to make sure they understand these expressions.
Can't-Miss Teaching Extras
Are your students loving stories from the ancient world? Find other read-aloud play adaptations of Greek myths such as “King Midas,” “The Curse of Winter” (Persephone and Demeter), and “The Snake-Haired Monster” (Perseus and Medusa).
This article from Kids News Australia provides information on each of the major Greek gods and goddesses. Scroll down to hear the article read aloud (in a fabulous Australian accent).
The chimera is just one of 20 mythological creatures featured in the wonderful illustrated book Greece! Rome! Monsters! Click here for a video read-aloud of the book. (Note that this video starts with a short ad.)
It’s not likely your students will have to battle a mythological beast anytime soon, but other scary situations may arise. This video from Rocket Kids has some great advice about having courage and conquering fears. (Note that this video starts with a short ad.)
