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centaur
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In Greek mythology, a creature with the head, arms, and torso of a man and the body and legs of a horse. They are said to have been defeated by the Lapiths in the battle after the wedding of Pirithous, when they tried to carry off the bride and other women; in classical Greek thought they may have symbolized animal nature.
The name comes via Latin from Greek kentauros, the Greek name for a Thessalonian tribe of expert horsemen; of unknown ultimate origin.
Subjects: Classical studies
