CentaurMadden


 * The Centaur**


 * Origin**:
 * The Centaur dates as far back as 3000 BC in India in addition to Assyria in 2000 BC.
 * There was said to be two families of centaurs, the ones that were born under the union of Ixion.
 * Those centaurs were known to be cruel and they're many within that family. These centaurs were born from King Ixion and Nephele. King Ixion was in love with Hera. Zeus, who grew jealous because of this, made a cloud in the image of Hera called Nephele.
 * Another family regarded as Chiron, was less drunk and cruel than those of the union under King Ixion. This family of centaurs were studious, and sober. They originated from Cronus (a titan) and Philarya (an ocean nymph). They were taught by the Gods, including Apollo and Diana. They were known for their excellent skills in medicine, hunting, and music.


 * Appearance**:
 * The appearance of the centaur is the hind legs, front legs, tail and hindquarters were the parts of a horse, and the head, arms, and chest were parts of the human. The different types of centaurs include deer centaurs, dog centaurs, and human-headed centaurs.


 * Mythological Stories**
 * Story of Ixion
 * Zeus grew furious with the fact that Ixion was deeply in love with Hera and tried to seduce her. After Hera told her husband, Zeus repaid the act by testing this love and creating the image of Hera into a cloud. Ixion then proceeded to sleep with this cloud and Zeus punished him by chaining him to a winged and fiery wheel that forever revolved in Tartarus. The cloud then gave birth to Centaurus, and Centaurus then produced Centaurs with Magnesian mares.
 * Battle of Lapiths and the Centaurs
 * When the king of Lapiths, Peirithoüs, invited the centaurs to his wedding, the centaurs who became drunk, tried to abduct his bride (Hippodameia) and other women at the party. The centaurs and lapiths then began to fight. Famous heroes at the wedding helped aid the Lapiths in the fight. The Lapiths drove the Centaurs from Thessaly.
 * Story of Algeron
 * In this story, there was a horrible massacre near the city of Antigeron. An army of centaurs was tricked and they were slaughtered relentlessly. The centaurs could not get free and many of them died.
 * Hercules and the Centaur
 * Before Hercules performed the fourth labor, Hercules went to visit his friend, a centaur, by the name of Pholus. Pholus tried to prevent opening the wine, but eventually did due to Hercules' request. This wine was aged and attracted centaurs from all around. Hercules drunkenly threw arrows upon all of the Centaurs and ended up shooting his good friend Chiron and Pholus. The arrows were dipped in Hydra and caused excruciating pain upon Chiron, but he could not die. Prometheus took his immortality, and Hercules' good friends, Pholus and Chiron ended up dying.
 * Hercules and Nessus
 * In this story, a centaur, Nessus tried to rape Hercule's wife, Deianeira. Hercules heard her cry for help and rescued her, and killed Nessus with a poison arrow. He told his wife to take the poison and save it had he ever been unfaithful, which lead to the death of Hercules in the future when he cheated on her.
 * Importance**
 * The centaurs were extremely important in Greek mythology because they show how hubris and selfishness can lead to their downfall is in the Story of Algeron. Also, the other family of Centaurs (Chiron) were said to be very intellectual and could tell the future by merely looking into a fire or looking at the stars. The centaurs caused a lot of chaos in Greek mythology which lead to stories involving the Gods, and without whom stories of Zeus being jealous may not exist.


 * Modern References**

Hagrid from Harry Potter: "// Never try an' get a straight answer out of a centaur. Ruddy stargazers. Not interested in anythin' closer'n the moon. //"

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone- Dark Forest Scene media type="youtube" key="WSwW24HWX_c" height="315" width="420" align="center"

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix-Dark Forest Scene media type="youtube" key="7h2PlGikPZY" height="315" width="420" align="center" **Works Cited:** "Centaur." //Harry Potter Wiki//. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. . "Centaurs." //Mythological Monsters//. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. . "Centaurs - Myth Encyclopedia - Mythology, Greek, God, Story, Names, Tree, Famous, Animal, War." //Encyclopedia of Myths//. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. .

"Fourth Labor - Hercules (Heracles - Herakles)." //Ancient / Classical History - Ancient Greece & Rome & Classics Research Guide//. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. .

"NESSUS : Centaur of Aetolia | Greek Mythology, Nessos, W/ Pictures." //THEOI GREEK MYTHOLOGY, Exploring Mythology & the Greek Gods in Classical Literature & Art//. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. .

//Sacred and Myth Animal//. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. .

"What Are Centaurs And What Is Their Importance In Mythical History..." //Ask Questions, Get Free Answers - Blurtit//. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. .