---
title: Chimera of Arezzo
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1006/chimera-of-arezzo/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-11-28
---
# Chimera of Arezzo
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
The Chimera of Arezzo is a [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) statue sculpted by the [Etruscans](https://www.worldhistory.org/Etruscan_Civilization/) of northern and central [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/) during the 5th-4th century BCE. The creature is the fire-breathing monster from [Greek mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/) which has the head of a lion, tail of a snake, and a goat's head protruding from its back. The menacing statue was discovered in Arezzo in Tuscany, Italy and is often cited as the finest example of [Etruscan art](https://www.worldhistory.org/Etruscan_Art/). It is now one of the star pieces in the National Archaeological Museum of Florence.
[  Chimera of Arezzo, Florence Carole Raddato (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5462/chimera-of-arezzo-florence/ "Chimera of Arezzo, Florence")### The Chimera in [Mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/)
In mythology, the fire-breathing monster Chimera (also spelt Chimaera or Chimaira) was the offspring of [Typhon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Typhon/) and Echidna (both themselves half-snake, half-human monsters). In other versions, it was reared by Amisodarus. The Chimera was eventually killed by the hero [Bellerophon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bellerophon/), a seemingly impossible challenge set him by Iobates, the king of [Lycia](https://www.worldhistory.org/lycia/) (on the instigation of his brother King Proetus of [Tiryns](https://www.worldhistory.org/tiryns/)). The son of [Poseidon](https://www.worldhistory.org/poseidon/), helped by his winged horse [Pegasus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pegasus/), fatally stabbed the monster with his spear. Mythological subjects, and animals especially, were a popular subject in [Etruscan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Etruscan_Civilization/) art and, in particular, bronze work.
### Discovery
The Chimera statue was discovered in 1553 CE when fortifications were being built in the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Arezzo (ancient name: [Arretium](https://www.worldhistory.org/arretium/)) during the rule of Cosimo de' Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. It was excavated in a trench along with other votive offerings such as small figure statues near the Porta San Lorentino. In 1566 CE the works revealed another fine Etruscan statue, the 'Orator.' So impressed was Cosimo with the Chimera figure that he adopted it as a symbol of his reign.
### Features & Purpose
The life-size creature stands 78.5 cm (31 inches) high and measures 129 cm (50 ¾ inches) in length. It was cast in bronze, using the lost wax technique. It strikes a tense pose, almost ready to pounce on its victim as its rear end crouches ready for the spring and its claws are fully extended. The lion head has a mane of layered triangular points which match the hairy spikes along its back to complete the look of bristling menace. The goat's head protruding from its back lurches to one side from a bleeding wound while the snake tail, too, has fangs at the ready, even if this latter part is the product of a restoration carried out in the 18th century CE based on a surviving fragment. Another bleeding wound is found on the creature's rear leg.
The piece was probably part of a larger composition which included Bellerophon and Pegasus, hence the bleeding wounds. There is an inscription, incised into the wax during the casting process, on the front right leg which reads *tinscvil or 'gift to Tin', indicating that it was intended as an offering to the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) Tin (aka Tinia), the supreme deity of the [Etruscan pantheon](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1025/etruscan-pantheon/), either to persuade the deity to give help or in thanks for aid already given. Votive offerings were left at sacred altars at [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) sites or even buried, perhaps explaining the miraculous survival of this fine Etruscan statue.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored article has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Haynes, S. *Etruscan Civilization.* J. Paul Getty Museum, 2005.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0892366001/)
- [Hornblower, S. *The Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199545561/)
- [Simon, E. *The Religion of the Etruscans.* University of Texas Press, 2006.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0292721463/)
- [Spivey, N.J. *Etruscan Art.* Thames & Hudson, 1997.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500203040/)
- [The Chimera of Arezzo: National Archaeological Museum of Florence (in Italian)](https://museoarcheologiconazionaledifirenze.wordpress.com/2013/11/15/15111553-ricomincia-la-storia-della-chimera-di-arezzo/ "The Chimera of Arezzo: National Archaeological Museum of Florence (in Italian)"), accessed 24 Jan 2017.
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2017, January 13). Chimera of Arezzo. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Chimera of Arezzo." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 13, 2017. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Chimera of Arezzo." *World History Encyclopedia*, 13 Jan 2017, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 13 January 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.