The Myth of the Lapiths vs Centaurs in Greek Mythology

Lapiths vs Centaurs is an interesting and gripping tale about the two creatures that came face to face in a battle. The two belong to Greek mythology and their characters have been named and famed at various points in the mythology by the poets. The Centaurs are hybrid creatures and the Lapiths were normal men. In this article, we bring you all the information on the two, their battle, and the fate of the two creatures.

Lapiths vs Centaurs

Lapiths vs Centaurs is an exceptionally important and famous battle in Greek mythology. Famous Greek poets like Hesiod and Homer have written about it in their literature. Their battle was called the Centauromachy and it happened because of the abduction of the Lapith bride by a drunk Centaur. Everything after that escalated quickly and a happy event soon turned into a bloodbath.

The Centaurs and the Lapiths are two very different creatures in Greek mythology. Before we get into the battle, we must understand their ways and origin in Greek mythology.

The Battle

The battle between Lapiths and Centaurs was called the Centauromacchy and it was without a doubt an important battle because whenever the name of Titanomachy or Trojan war is taken, Centauromachy is also mentioned. It all started when the Lapiths invited the Centaurs to one of their weddings. Centaurs were hardly invited as guests and the Lapiths thinking that they be brothers because of Apollo, invited the tribe into their castle. There they served wine to the guests.

As wine was something the Centaurs were not accustomed to, they drank a little and soon became highly intoxicated. When the bride, Hippodamia, came to greet the guests, one of the Centaur tried to abduct her and take her with him. This started a war between the Lapiths and the Centaurs because the attack was on the newly made queen of the Lapiths.

Because of this the Centaurs and the Lapiths started fighting in the wedding hall and their battle was named the Centauromachy. Many lives were lost that day and the wedding turned into a blood bath. The war ended when one of the Centaur elders apologized for the behavior of one of their own. After that, the centaurs and the Lapiths were never seen in close vicinity together.

The Myth of Lapiths

Lapiths were a group of people in Greek mythology that were known for their extravagance and beauty. They were the inhabitants of Thessaly and some genealogists also believe that they were the sons of Olympian god Apollo and the water nymph Stilbe. This would make the Lapiths brothers to the Centaurs which would only tangle up the situation. Nevertheless, they were a cast of their own and lived in extravagance.

Polypoetus was one of the warriors of the Lapiths, and he was famous for his warfare skills and swordsmanship. At the time of the Trojan war, they were called to help by the Greeks. They went in with a fleet of 40 ships and fought till they could no more. The strong warrior died and so did most of his men that went to war but Thessaly remembered his martyrs.

The Lapiths are thus well known in Greek mythology, because of their part in the Trojan war and also because of their own war, the Centauromachy which they fought against the Centaurs.

The Myth of Centaurs

The Centaurs are a group of hybrid creatures in Greek mythology which are half humans and half horses. They have the sharp and working mind of a human that helps them make a conscious decision. The rest of the body is that of a horse which gives them agility and of course four hooves to run as fast as the horses. This is no doubt a deadly combination of creatures and thus makes the Centaurs a powerful entity that should not be reckoned with.

The Centaurs are known to be evil and smart creatures, which is what makes them sly. They do not do anything that does not bring them profit in any way or adds to their existence. This is the reason why they are not welcomed in most Greek mythology events and battles. They have no manners to live because they are partly animals and even with a human brain, they could not do anything about it.

In Greek mythology, many heroes and gods have fought with the Centaurs and their origin is quite controversial too like the battle of Lapiths and centaurs temple of Zeus. Some say they are the sons of Apollo and Stilbe, the water nymph. Some say that Gaea made them scare the gods but it did not work. Exactly like this, there are various stories but the most authentic one seems to be that of being the sons of Apollo and Stilbe.

Conclusion

This story however does not interfere with any gods or goddesses like most of the wars in Greek mythology. Following are the points that will summarize the whole article:

• Lapiths were a group of people in Greek mythology that were known for their extravagance and beauty. They were the inhabitants of Thessaly and some genealogists also believe that they were the sons of Olympian god Apollo and the water nymph Stilbe.

• The Centaurs and the Lapiths fought a battle at a wedding and turned against each other all because a Centaur could not handle wine. It is a very peculiar story and a story that happens in real life many times.

• The Centaurs are a group of hybrid creatures in Greek mythology which are half humans and half horses.

• The Lapiths invited the Centaurs to one of their weddings where they served wine. An intoxicated Centaur tried to abduct the new bride of the Lapiths which caused a battle.

• Centauromachy is the battle of Centaurs and Lapiths at Hippodamia’s wedding, which is still seen in ancient art and carvings with details

No one actually won the war but they formed a truce. Here we come to the end of the article on Centauromachy.