Bellerophon's letters

Explanation

Bellerophon, having killed Belleros — or, as some say, Peirēn — came as a fugitive from Argos to Tiryns, to Proetus. Anteia, wife of Proetus, conceived a passion for him; he refusing her, she told Proetus that Bellerophon had made amorous overtures to her. Proetus, believing her, gave him letters to carry to Iobates, in which it was written that Bellerophon should be put to death. Bellerophon, in ignorance, carries the writing against himself. Iobates, having read it, ordered him to slay the fire-breathing Chimaera, supposing he would be destroyed by the beast. For it had a composite nature of three creatures: the forepart of a lion, the tail of a serpent, and a third head between, of a goat, through which it breathed fire. Bellerophon, mounting on Pegasus, the winged horse he had, shot down the Chimaera. After this contest he was set against the Amazons; when he had killed them too, Iobates picked the men who then surpassed in youthful strength and ordered them to lie in wait and kill him. When he won this contest also, Iobates, marvelling at his strength, showed him the letter and asked him to remain with him; and giving him his daughter, he left him his kingdom at his death.