Iobates

Q: Who was Iobates?

Iobates was a king in the area of Lycia , in Greek mythology. He had two children, Antea and Philonoe.

Iobates was a king in the area of Lycia, in Greek mythology. He had two children, Antea and Philonoe. At his kingdom, the hero Bellerophon found refuge after being exiled. King Proetus of Tiryns asked Iobates, who was his father-in-law, to kill Bellerophon, but he was afraid of killing his guest, in case the gods would get angry. So, Iobates decided to give Bellerophon an impossible task, to kill the monster Chimera. Bellerophon was helped by the goddess Athena, who sent him Pegasus, a flying horse, to aid him in his quest. Thus, Bellerophon returned successful from his mission, causing the awe of Iobates who gave him his daughter's hand in marriage.