The Chimera

Greek mythology · monsters · hybrid creatures

Fire-breathing hybrid. The Chimera was a terrifying creature that could breathe fire and had parts of three different animals put together: a lion's front, a goat's body on its back, and a snake as its tail.

From ancient Lycia. According to Greek stories, the Chimera came from Lycia, which was a region in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), making it one of the most famous monsters of that ancient land.

Child of chaos monsters. The Chimera was born to Typhon and Echidna, two of the most powerful and fearsome creatures in Greek mythology, which made it just as dangerous as its scary parents.

Winged in some versions. While most pictures show it with a lion, goat, and snake, some ancient artists also drew the Chimera with dragon wings on its back, making it even more monstrous.

Sibling of famous monsters. The Chimera had dangerous brothers and sisters, including Cerberus (the three-headed guard dog) and the Lernaean Hydra (a snake monster with many heads).