Motif
human-animal composite Centaurs
human_animal_composite_centaurs
A motif of the Shapeshifter and Transformation family, within the sub-family Animal Forms, Hybrids, and Boundaries. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
1 occurrences
1 traditions
roman
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The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books VIII-XV EXPLANATION. / BOOK THE TWELFTH. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION.; lines 8159-8258 confidence: medium
Thessalians near Mount Pelion are described as early horse-trainers and skilled horsemen; their killing of wild bulls is used to explain the names Hippocentaurs and Centaurs.
The passage discusses Centaurs as figures later described as twofold in form, partly man and partly horse, while also giving rationalizing explanations based on horsemanship.
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