Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Chimera
Greek mythology
Chimera, in Greek mythology, a fire-breathing female monster resembling a lion in the forepart, a goat in the middle, and a dragon behind. She devastated Caria and Lycia until she was slain by Bellerophon. In art the Chimera is usually represented as a lion with a goatās head in the middle of its back and with a tail that ends in a snakeās head. This matches the description found in Hesiodās Theogony (7th century bc). The word is now used generally to denote a fantastic idea or figment of the imagination.
Chimera, or chimĆØre, in architecture, is a term loosely used for any grotesque, fantastic, or imaginary beast used in decoration.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.
Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.