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Greek Mythology
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Centaurs
03-04-2013 23:15The Centaurs were part human and part horse creatures and is usually said to have been the descendants of Centauros, the child born by Ixion and Nephele (the cloud made in the image of Hera). Centaurus mated with the Magnesian mares and made the race of Centaurs.
Ixion was seeking to marry Dia, daughter of Deioneus and he promised her father a large bride-price in return for her hand. To avoid paying his promised gift after the marriage, Ixion set a deadly trap for his father-in-law. He dug a large pit, filled it with blazing coals and then hurled him in to be burned to death.
Despite Ixion’s unprecedented crime, Zeus purified him and also invited him up to Olympus. He set out to show his ungratefulness by seducing Hera, wife of Zeus. Hera complained to her husband, who tested the truth of her accusation by sending Nephele (cloud) a cloud-image of her to Ixion. Ixion had intercourse with her and Centauros was born.
The Centaurs were pictured as a horse with the torso and a head of a man instead of an equine neck and head. They were known for their savage and outrageous behavior that caused the Centauromachy, a war between the Centaurs and the Lapiths, the human descendants of Ixios, famously portrayed in the metopes of Parthenon. The Centaurs were defeated and sought a new home in the mountains of Arcadia in Peloponnese.
A certain Centaur who was believed to be of nobler character and origin was Chiron. Cheiron used to live on the slopes of Mount Pelion in Thessaly and was known as a great healer, astrologer and teacher. Among his pupils were many heroes: Asclepius, Theseus, Achilles, Jason, sometimes Heracles, even Dionysus.
On the contrary, another Centaur, Nessus was known for his malice act. Nessos was killed by Heracles, but a tunic tainted in his blood in turn killed Heracles.
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