Centaur (Pholus)
creaturePholus was a civilised centaur who hosted Heracles on his way to capture the Erymanthian Boar — accidentally triggering a battle with the other centaurs.
The Myth
Pholus was one of the few gentle centaurs, living alone in a cave on Mount Pholoe. When Heracles visited, Pholus served him roasted meat but hesitated to open the communal wine jar. Heracles opened it; the scent attracted the other centaurs, who attacked. Heracles drove them off with Hydra-poisoned arrows. Pholus, examining a fallen arrow and marvelling at how something so small could kill, accidentally dropped it on his foot and died from the Hydra's venom.
Parents
Silenus and a Meliad nymph
Symbols
Fun Fact
Pholus died from curiosity — examining the Hydra-poisoned arrow that killed the other centaurs. The moralising is unsubtle.
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