The Centauromachy (Κενταυρομαχíα, kentauromachia) was the mythological battle between the Lapiths and Centaurs during the wedding celebrations of the Lapith king, Pirithous. Different versions of the myth exist; according to one, the Centaurs, insulted from being excluded from the wedding feast, attacked the Lapiths; whilst in another version, the Centaurs took part in the celebrations, though, unused to wine, their wild nature came to the fore and the centaur Eurytion attempted to abduct the bride. In the fight that ensued, Theseus, the mythological Athenian king, came to the Lapiths’ aid, who emerged victorious and drove the Centaurs from their land.
Representing the untamed side of human nature, centaurs are a staple throughout classical art. Depictions of the Centauromachy appear on the metopes of the Parthenon, the temple of Apollo at Bassai and the temple of Zeus at Olympia among the many.
