Bellerʹophon

The Joseph of Greek mythology; Antæa, the wife of Prœtos, being the “Potiphar’s wife” who tempted him, and afterwards falsely accused him. Being successful in various enterprises, he attempted to fly to heaven on the winged horse Pegʹasos, but Zeus sent a gad-fly to sting the horse, and the rider was overthrown.

Letters of Bellerophon. Letters or other documents either dangerous or prejudicial to the bearer. Prœtos sent Bellerophon with a letter to the King of Lycia, his wife’s father, recounting the charge, and praying that the bearer might be put to death.

Pausaʹnias, the Spartan, sent messengers from time to time to King Xerxes, with similar letters; the discovery by one of the bearers proved the ruin of the traitor.

David’s letter sent by Uriah (2 Sam. xi. 14) was of a similar treacherous character; hence the phrase, “Letters of Uriah.”

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.