Centauromachy (Event)
conceptThe battle between Lapiths and Centaurs at the wedding of Pirithous when drunken centaurs tried to carry off the Lapith women.
The Myth
The centaurs got drunk at a wedding and tried to kidnap the bride — sparking the most depicted battle scene in Greek art. Pirithous invited the centaurs, his half-brothers through Ixion's line, to his wedding with Hippodamia. The centaurs, unused to wine, became violent. Eurytion the centaur seized the bride. Theseus, Pirithous, and the Lapiths fought back. The battle became a symbol of Greek civilization versus barbarism. It was carved on the Parthenon metopes, the temple of Zeus at Olympia, and countless vases. Caeneus, the invulnerable warrior, fought until the centaurs buried him under trees. The Greeks used this myth to justify their wars against Persians — civilization against savagery.
Symbols
Fun Fact
The Centauromachy was carved on the Parthenon itself — the Athenians saw it as a metaphor for Greek victory over Persian barbarism.
Explore Further
Centauromachy
conceptThe Centauromachy was the famous battle between the Lapiths and the Centaurs at the wedding of...
Centaurs (Tribe)
creatureThe Centaurs embodied civilisation vs savage nature.
Hippodamia of the Lapiths
heroLapith princess whose wedding to Pirithous was disrupted when centaurs attempted to abduct her,...
Pirithous
heroKing of the Lapiths and best friend of Theseus who attempted to kidnap Persephone from the...
Theseus (Ship)
conceptThe Ship of Theseus is a thought experiment about identity: if you replace every plank of a ship...
Theseus (Athenian)
heroTheseus was the great hero of Athens who slew the Minotaur, united Attica, and established Athenian...
Amazonomachy
conceptThe Amazonomachy was the legendary battle between the Athenians and the Amazons who invaded Athens...
Amazonomachy (Detail)
conceptThe recurring mythological battles between Greek heroes and the Amazons, depicted on temples and...
Caeneus
heroBorn as the woman Caenis, raped by Poseidon, who granted her wish to become an invulnerable man.
Centaur (Nessus)
creatureNessus was the centaur whose poisoned blood, given as a false love charm, ultimately destroyed the...
Centaur (Pholus)
creaturePholus was a civilised centaur who hosted Heracles on his way to capture the Erymanthian Boar —...
Centaurs
creatureA race of beings with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse. Most were wild and...