This document discusses Greek myths and legends about centaurs. It begins by defining myths and legends, noting that myths convey symbolic truths while legends are semi-true stories with cultural meaning. It then describes centaurs in Greek mythology as half-man, half-horse creatures, children of various gods and nature spirits. The document contrasts oral traditions, which say centaurs were born from unions with mares, versus written stories stating they were born from a single union. It provides examples of how centaurs exemplified values like violence in Greek culture and how modern works continue to reference these myths.

1. Welcome to Queen
Mary School

2. Centaurs - Greece
Done by: Vanshika , Samiksha
Mariam, Mukta,Mehek, Rashi,
Ushmi, Siddhita, Mishty

3. WHAT ARE MYTHS AND LEGENDS?
A legend is a semi-true story, which has been passed on from
person-to-person and has important meaning or symbolism for the
culture in which it originates. A legend usually includes an element
of truth, but with 'mythical qualities'. Legends usually involve
heroic characters or fantastic places and often encompass the
spiritual beliefs of the culture in which they originate.
A myth is a story based on tradition or legend, which has a deep
symbolic meaning. A myth 'conveys a truth' rather than necessarily
recording a true event. Although some myths can be accounts of
actual events, they have become transformed by symbolic meaning
or shifted in time or place. Myths are often used to explain
universal and local beginnings and involve supernatural beings.
.

4. How are they different from written stories with
an oral tradition?
• Oral tradition says that origin of centaurs are half-human, half-
horse creatures in Greek mythology. They have the body of a
horse and the torso, head and arms of a man. They were
considered to be the children ofI xion, king of the Lapiths,
and Nephele, a cloud made in the image of Hera. According
to a different myth, however, they were all born from the
union of a single Centaurus with the Magnesian mares.
Whereas as the written stories state that centaurs where all born
from the union of all of a single Centaurs with the Magnesian
mares.
There were many Greek writers and historians who mentioned
the Centaurs in their myths. The most known one was Pindar,
who described this tribe in details, giving us information about
the origins of the centaurs. Other authors and poets such as
Homer referred to similar monsters and creatures, but they never
used the term Centaur to name them.

5. • Centaurs had a really bad reputation in Greek myths and mythology.
They were mostly famous because they were extremely violent
towards women and other people. One of these stories refers to
centaur Nesus who tried to rape Heracles’ wife, Deianeira.
• One such exception given in written stories was Chiron, who became a
teacher of medicine, music, hunting, and archery.

6. How do the traits of a legendary hero exemplify the values of
the culture from which the legend originated?
Societies throughout history and from all over the globe have lifted up
exemplary individuals from folklore and legend as the embodiments of
the qualities valued by their cultures. Heroes vary with the qualities of
their cultures. Likewise, every hero undergoes a quest from which he
achieves a place in the literary pantheon of his homeland. The fact
remains that the hero is the personification of his culture’s morality and
value system.
How do the traits of a legendary hero exemplify the
values of the culture from which the legend
originated?

7. In what ways do myths illustrate the belief systems and
customs of the culture that create them?
The ancient Greek spiritual beliefs, religion, and oral tradition are all
reflected and formulated through rich myths and legends that besides
entertainment provided an articulation of the moral fiber of the Greek
culture as it evolved through at least two thousand years.
What we call "mythology" today, was a big part of ancient Greek
culture

8. Character pictures and their symbols
The centaurs symbolize violent lust, adultery, brutality,
vengefulness, heretics, and the Devil. They represent
the struggle within each heart between good and evil,
moderation and excess, passion and propriety,
forgiveness and retaliation, belief and unbelief, god and
beast.

9. Mythology is both the link to our past as well as the spark that
inspires the flames of inspiration for modern day storytellers. The
everlasting power of myth is all around us, informing our lives and
personal experiences without us even knowing it. Once you begin
to learn more about mythology, folklore, and ancient legends, you
will begin seeing their influence everywhere.

10. •YES!!! MYTHOLOGY IS ALL AROUND US
In modern times, the centaurs have appeared again in arts and
literature, especially in the genre of fantasy. There are some sci-fi and
magical stories like the ones of Harry Potter and The Narnian
Chronicles, as well as the Piers Anthony’s Xanth series that have
major characters who are actually centaurs.
• Science fiction has used the characters as well; John Varley’s Titan,
Wizard, Demon series, Jack Chalker’s Wellworld series, Walter Jon
William’s Knight Moves and Elf Sternberg’s The Journal Entries series
feature some very important centaurs as their main characters.

11. • Atlas had to carry the world on his shoulders just as an atlas carries
maps of the world.
• The iris in your eye allows you to see color as Iris is the goddess of
the rainbow.
References to ancient myths are everywhere,
from science to pop culture, and knowing
about them will help you understand more
about the world we live in.