War of Lapiths and Centaurs
The war of the Lapiths and the Centaurs was one of the favourite subjects in Greek mythology, particularly in art and literature.
When Peirithoüs, king of the Lapiths, invited the centaurs to his wedding, the centaurs who became drunk tried to abduct the bride (Hippodameia) and other Lapith women. Fighting broke out between the Lapiths and the centaurs. The Lapiths were aided by some famous heroes, who were also guests at the wedding. The Lapiths drove the centaurs from Thessaly.
To read the story about the war, head towards Peirithoüs, under the Theseus page.
List of Lapith Warriors
Homer’s Iliad
- Peirithoüs (Πειιθοος)
- Caeneus (Καινεος)
- Dryas (Δρυας)
- Mopsus (seer, Μοψος)
- Exadius (´Εξαδιος)
- Theseus (Θησευς)
Shield of Heracles
- Peirithoüs
- Caeneus
- Dryas
- Mopsus (seer)
- Hopleus (´Οπλεος)
- Exadius
- Phalereus (Φαληρος)
- Prolochus (Προλοχος)
- Theseus
Ovid’s Metamorphoses
First
- Peirithoüs
- Caeneus
- Polyphemus
- Dryas
- Mopsus (seer)
- Hopleus
- Exadius
- Phalereus
- Prolochus
Second
- Phorbas
- Evagrus
- Corythus
- Celadon
- Pelates
- Broteas
- Orios
- Charaxus
- Cometes
Third
- Pallas
- Crantor
- Periphas
- Ampyx
- Macareus
- Halesus
- Tectaphos
- Cymelus
Foreign Wedding Guests
- Theseus
- Peleus
- Nestor
Note that the first and second lists were lists of names found in two different sources, one called the Shield of Heracles (possibly by Hesiod), and the other called the Iliad, written by Homer. The other four lists came from the Roman source, Ovid’s Metamorphoses; the last list being Peirithous’ non-Lapith wedding guests.
Note that the first and last lists were the lists of names found in two sources. Also, the last list was a list of heroes who were not Lapiths, but foreign guests and friends of Peirithoüs. The second and third lists were additional Lapiths, which came from a Roman source written by Ovid. Ovid gave more details about the battles.
Polyphemus and Mopsus were two Lapiths who would later sail with Peleus and the other Argonauts.
More information about the Lapiths can be found in Geographia, Thessaly. You will also find a genealogical tree of the Lapith royal house in Thessaly.
List of Centaur Warriors
Shield of Heracles
- Petraeus
- Asbolus
- Arctus
- Ureus
- Mimas
- Perimedes
- Dryalus
Ovid’s Metamorphoses
First
- Eurytion
- Nessus
- Rhoetus
- Amycus
- Gryneus
- Orneus
- Lycabas
- Medon
- Thaumas
- Pisenor
- Mermeros
- Eurynomus
- Lycidas
- Areos
- Imbreus
- Crenaeus
- Aphidas
Second
- Petraneus
- Lycus
- Chromis
- Dictys
- Helops
- Aphareus
- Bienor
- Nedymnus
- Lycopes
- Hippassus
- Ripheus
- Demoleon
- Phlegraeus
- Hyles
- Iphinous
- Clanis
- Dorylas
Third
- Cyllarus
- Hylonome (female)
- Phaeocomes
- Chthonius
- Teleboas
- Pyraethus
- Echeclus
- Erigdupus
- Hodites
- Bromus
- Antimachus
- Elymus
- Pyracmus
- Latreus
- Monychus
Peaceful centaurs
- Pholus
- Melaneus
- Abas
- Astylos (seer)
Note that the first list has the names found in the work called the Shield of Heracles. The other three lists came from the Roman poet Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Ovid also listed additional centaurs. According to Ovid, Eurytion was the leader of the centaurs. The last list has the centaurs who refused to fight in the war.
The problem with Ovid’s version is that some of the names mentioned, were not easy to distinguish. I couldn’t tell if they were Lapiths or Centaurs. For these names, I left them out of the lists above.
There’s also a new page containing the most prominent Centaurs.
