Centaurs are often depicted as a warlike people, as they have been throughout history. In fact they are truly a peaceful creature, devoting themselves to the study of divination through the stars. Perhaps they have better knowledge of fate and of things to come, but the Centaurs rarely share their knowledge. They know better than to interfere with Destiny, and keep what they know to themselves.
Centaurs probably have a better knowledge of the sky and are more accurate at divination than any other, for they spend their lives staring at the heavens. They are wise creatures, as they have proven many times.
Centaurs are brave and proud; it is rare indeed that one should allow a human to sit upon his back.
Centaurs have appeared throughout ancient history, possibly originating from Greece. The centaurs were connected with deceit and trickery, and very possibly they are related to the Satyrs.
The connection between centaurs and trickey is expressed in the legend of Herakles; the Centaur Nessus kidnapped Herakle's wife Deinara, but Herakles shot him. As he was dying, Nessus gave Deinara a magical cloak that he claimed would make Herakles love her forever. So Deinara gave Herakles the cloak, but instead of doing as the centaur claimed, it caused Herakles such pain, and he could not take it off, so he built a pyre for himself and ordered his men to light it. However, his faither Zeus rescued him. |
