Centars In Greek Mythology

Centaurs

Centaurs are incredibly interesting figures in Greek mythology. They are creatures with dual natures: half man, half beast. They have the torso of a man and the body of a horse. They are often portrayed in paintings and sculptures with weapons. Typically, they are portrayed as primitive, brave, courageous, vengeful, arrogant, wild, impulsive, savage, rowdy, prone to drunkenness and violence.

Historically, it is believed that the origin of the Centaur myth is based on the bull hunters of Thessaly. The people of Thessaly also spent a great deal of time on horses; it is easy to see how the Greeks could take this observation and create a larger-than-life mythological creature from it.

Centaurs are important to mythology as they provided

the stories with an all-out villain to root against. With the exception of the noble Chiron, they seem to be portrayed for the most past as lustful beasts without restraint or regard for others. The Centaurs overindulged in wine at the wedding feast of the King of Lapith. Their inhibitions gone from the wine, the Centaurs attempted to kidnap the females present at the wedding, even the bride herself.

These villainous Centaurs represent a people caught in between two worlds, in transition from one era to another. As the Greeks warred with other nations (for example, the Persian War), they encountered unknown peoples with unknown, seemingly “barbaric” traditions, cultures and customs. When the Greeks finally prevailed over the Persians, the belief in Greek superiority over lawlessness was reinforced. Out of chaos and war came order, government, structure, and decency (according to the Greeks). The defeat of the Centaurs at the Lapith wedding feast illustrates this. With the body of a human symbolizing civilization and the horse symbolizing the chaos of barbarism, the Centaur remains an important figure in Greek mythology, representing a time of nationalism and Greek pride.