Safari Mythology Miniatures - Centaur

The mother of the Centaur tribe was the cloud nymph Nephele. The father is disputed, but it is believed to be Ares, the god of war. The Centaurs certainly live up to their wild reputation, known to be unruly at times, and are often associated with the god Dionysus.

The warlike horse-human hybrids appear in many myths, including those of Chiron and Hercules. The Centaur struck its hoof and flicked its tail. The horse body was content, the massive creature lifted a cup to its very human face and took a deep gulp of cool water.

It tossed the cup aside and rose to its full height, flexing its powerful muscles. Clutched in one hand was a wooden shield, already engraved and dented. The other arm held a club, with a wooden handle and iron, scratched and dirty from recent use. The young Centaur was now complete.