Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

A bottle featuring an image of the myth of the Chimera monster discovered in a 2nd-century Roman necropolis

Photo: National Archaeological Reserve Deultum - Debelt

Archaeologists have discovered a very rare and valuable glass bottle in a 2nd-century tomb in the southern necropolis of the Roman colony Deultum near the village of Debelt (Southeastern Bulgaria). What makes it unique is that it depicts the myth of the monster Chimera, defeated by Bellerophon riding the winged horse Pegasus, reported archaeologia-bulgarica.

The scene was identified by Dobrina Harbalieva from the Municipal History Museum of Sredets, in collaboration with Dr. Arina Korzun from the Institute of Balkan Studies with Centre for Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS).

It is believed that the fire-breathing monster, with a lion’s head, a goat’s body and a dragon’s tail, was first described by Homer in the Iliad. Despite its fierce appearance and its reputation as immortal, the Chimera was ultimately slain by Bellerophon’s arrow, with the help of the goddess Athena. The two victors performed more feats together, but in the end, Bellerophon wished to ascend to the gods on Mount Olympus. However, he fell off Pegasus' back, archaeologists recall.

See also:




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Archaeologists have discovered intriguing finds in the Kavatsi area near Sozopol

Archaeologists have explored a necropolis in the Kavatsi area near Sozopol. The perimeter in which it is located is part of the history of Apollonia Pontica and is dated to the 4th century BC. "This is a site with interesting burials in which a nuance..

published on 11/10/24 10:05 AM
Dr. Petar Beron

Dr. Petar Beron speaks about the first steps of the Bulgarian transition and democracy today

On November 10, 1989, at a plenum of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party, Todor Zhivkov was removed from the position of General Secretary - the highest position in the party and the state. What happened at the..

published on 11/10/24 6:45 AM

Days of Croatian Archaeological Heritage start in Sofia

The Days of Croatian Archaeological Heritage, which will last until 8 November, begin today at the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM-BAS) in Sofia. The event is organised by the Croatian Embassy in..

published on 11/6/24 7:55 AM