The Chimaera Trivia Quiz

Answer: She-goat

The Chimaera consists of three different creatures, with the goat forming the middle part of its body. The goat's head is described by Hesiod, in his poem 'Theogony', as being the most fearsome part of the creature, 'breathing forth a fearful blast of blazing fire'.

Answer: Echidna

The Echidna's name means she-viper, and she was the mother of many of the monsters found in Greek mythology. She is described as living in a cave and eating raw flesh. The Echidna was killed by Argus, who used his many eyes to see when she was asleep so he could catch her unawares.

Answer: Lion

The lion is described as 'grim eyed' or 'fierce eyed', depending on the translation used. Despite being female, the lion part is usually depicted in art with a mane, although not as luxuriant as that of a male. Although of Greek origin, the Chimaera is often found in Etruscan art, for example in 'The Chimaera of Arezzo', a bronze statue.

Answer: Bellerophon

Bellerophon initially had to tame Pegasus, which he managed with the help of the goddess Athena. This enabled him to fly above the monster and eventually kill her by dropping lead into her flaming mouth. The lead melted and choked the beast. Theseus killed the Minotaur, Perseus finished off the gorgon, Medusa, and Odysseus disposed of the cyclops, Polyphemus.

Answer: Etna

Typhon is described as consisting mainly of snakes, which form his body from the thighs down. Zeus overcame him by crushing him under Mount Etna, and the volcanic eruptions are attributed to Typhon's efforts to free himself. All the other options are Italian volcanoes, with Stromboli being an island itself. Vesuvius overlooks Naples and Ischia is another volcanic island situated in the Bay of Naples.

Answer: Sphinx

The Sphinx was fathered by Orthus with the Chimaera in various versions of the myth, although others have the Sphinx as being a full sister to the Chimaera. The Sphinx had the head of a woman, the body of a lion and had wings like a bird, and terrorised the region of Thebes.

She is also described as a sister to the Nemean lion, who may also be one of the Chimaera's offspring, who was killed by Hercules as one of his twelve labours.

Answer: Cerberus

Cerberus was the three headed dog who guarded the Underworld, and devoured anyone who tried to leave. Other monsters created by the same parents were the Hydra of Lerna and Orthus, who was another dog but with only two heads. Cerberus was captured by Hercules as his final labour, with Hercules having already killed Orthus as part of his tenth labour.

Answer: Homer

Homer's description seems to be the earliest reference to the creature, with Hesiod taking this information and expanding upon it. The 'Iliad' is a poem which mainly covers some of the events of the Trojan War, although it mentions other myths. The other authors listed are all Roman.

Answer: Turkey

The region of Lycia lies on the southern coast of what is now Turkey, bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Some versions of the legend describe the Chimaera as having been raised by Amisodarus, the king of Lycia. If so, this was unwise as the creature devasted the land and animals of the region, before being killed by the Greek hero.

Answer: Snake

The tail consists of the snake's body, ending with its head, to give a third part of the creature to fear and avoid. Since both of the Chimaera's parents are part snake, it is not surprising that her body included snake parts. Hesiod describes this part as being 'a mighty serpent'.