Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
The Centaurs explained
This chapter describes the Centaurs as mythical beings with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse, noting that they were among the few monsters of antiquity attributed with good traits.
What happens
This chapter describes the Centaurs as mythical beings with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse, noting that they were among the few monsters of antiquity attributed with good traits. It recounts the battle of the Lapithae and Centaurs at the wedding of Pirithous and Hippodamia, where the Centaur Eurytion's drunken assault on the bride sparked a violent conflict. The chapter also highlights the wise Centaur Chiron, tutored by Apollo and Diana, who taught many Greek heroes and raised Aesculapius, whose later success in restoring the dead to life led to his death by Jupiter's lightning and subsequent deification.
Themes in this chapter
Hospitality and Its Violation
The Centaur Eurytion violates the hospitality of Pirithous's wedding feast by assaulting the bride, leading to a violent conflict.
Mortality and Immortality
Aesculapius, a mortal physician, is killed by Jupiter for restoring the dead, but is later deified; Chiron is placed among the stars as a constellation.
Characters to notice
- Jupiter
Strikes Aesculapius with lightning at Pluto's request, then deifies him.
- Phoebus Apollo
Instructs Chiron and entrusts the infant Aesculapius to his care.
- Proserpine
Resents Aesculapius restoring the dead to life and requests Jupiter's intervention.
Key passages
“These monsters were represented as men from the head to the loins, while the remainder of the body was that of a horse.”
Centaurs were depicted with a human upper body and a horse's lower body.
Describes the physical form of Centaurs.
“At the feast Eurytion, one of the Centaurs, becoming intoxicated with the wine, attempted to offer violence to the bride; the other Centaurs followed his example, and a dreadful conflict arose in which several of them were slain.”
At the wedding, the Centaur Eurytion got drunk and attacked the bride, prompting other Centaurs to do the same, which sparked a deadly battle.
Recounts the cause of the battle of the Lapithae and Centaurs.
“Chiron was instructed by Apollo and Diana, and was renowned for his skill in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.”
Chiron was taught by Apollo and Diana and was famous for his expertise in hunting, medicine, music, and prophecy.
Highlights Chiron's education and skills.