Bellerophon
Bellerohon (also known as Bellerophontes, or Bellerphontes), was properly called Hipponous and is said to be one of the greatest Greek heroes of all time. Bellerophon was born in Korinthos (Cronith). His father was the Corinthian king, Glaucus, and his mother was Eurymede. Another story says that he was the son of Poseidon and Eurymede. Guess it depends on where you get your information. It is believed that his name means Slayer of Belleros, which was from the mythological etymology, or it meant Wielder of Missiles.
When he was a youth he captured the winged horse Pegasus when it came to drink from the town fountain. He was later banned from the city because of a murder of one of his relatives. He then went to the court of King Proitos, in Argos. Queen Stheneboia had a passion for him and when he turned away from her advances, she told her husband that he had made advances toward her. Poritos sent him to King Iobates, in Lykia, along with a secret note requesting that the boy be killed. Iobates did not want to do this himself so he sent Bellerephon to slay the fire breathing Khimaira (Chimaera), which was playing havoc across the land. The boy destroyed the monster and returned to the king. The king then sent him on a trip to destroy the barbarous tribe of Solymoi, then later the Amazones. He was victorious on both accounts and again returned to the king alive. Finally the king commanded his guards to ambush and kill Bellerophon but again he slew them all and returned to the king. By now the king recognized him as a son of a god so he welcomed him into his house as his son-in-law and future heir. Bellerephon was still not satisfied so he tried to fly to heaven on the back of Pegasus. Zeus saw what he was trying to do and was angry. He sent a bee to sting Pegasus and caused Pegasus to buck and fling Bellerephon back to earth. After that he was left to wonder the earth and was despised by men and the gods. One story also said he was left lame or blind from the fall.
Bellerophon was worshiped and considered a hero at Corinth. There was a sanctuary for him near the town in the Cypress Grove, Craneion. His conquest against Chimaera was seen on the throne of Amyclae, and also on the vestibule of the Delphic temple. He is also often seen fighting the Chimaera on coins, gems, and vases. In Lycian sculptures he is seen riding Pegasus and conquering Chimaera. It is written that Bellerophon killed his brother, Deliades, involuntarily.
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