Z44.1 BELLEROPHON &
THE KHIMAIRA

Museum Collection: Recently excavated in the ruins of Palmyra, Syria
Catalogue Number: TBA
Type: Floor Mosaic
Context: Palmyra
Date: ca 260 AD
Period: Imperial Roman

SUMMARY

The hero Bellerophon, riding on the back of the winged horse Pegasos, spears the Khimaira. The beast has the heads of a lion, goat and serpent. Bellerophon is dressed in a Persian suit. The hooves of Pegasos drip with water, for springs were said to sprout from his hoof-prints.
This classical figure set inspired Medieval depictions of St George and the dragon.

ARTICLES

Khimaira, Pegasos