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The Centaurs were half- horse creatures of ancient Greece and the spirits of the storm
Centaur wrestling with a bearded man. National Archaeological Museum of Athens, Greece
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How did the Centaurs look like?
The head, the arms and the torso of the Centaurs had the human shape and their lower part was that of a horse. Their diet was adjusted according to their physical shape.
Family of the Centaurs
The Centaurs were the offspring of Ixion, the king of Lapithae (Thessaly), and the rain cloud Nephele.
Personality of the Centaurs
With only few exceptions, such as Cheiron,the gentle Tutor, the Centaurs were lawless, aggressive creatures and were usually drunk.
The Expelling of the Centaurs
The Centaurs were mainly living on Mount Pelion in Thessaly. There was a time when the Centaurs got involved in a struggle with the Lapiths, known as "Centauromachy", when trying to intrude and cause trouble during the wedding feast of the Lapiths' King Peritheios with Ippodameia. Because of the Centauromachy, the Centaurs were expelled from Thessaly.
Mount Pelion, the residence of the Centaurs
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Famous Centaurs in Greek Mythology |
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Nessus
(the river's ferryman) |
Greek pronunciation
English pronunciation