Chiron
Mythic being
In Greek mythology, Chiron, also Cheiron or Kheiron, (Ancient Greek: Χείρων, romanized: Kheírōn, lit. 'hand'; pronounced /ˈkaɪrən/ or /ˈkaɪrɒn/, KY-rən, KY-ron, Kye-ron or Kee-ron) was held to be the superlative centaur amongst his brethren since he was called the "wisest and justest of all the centaurs".
Explore on the graph ↗- Mentions
- 4
- Connected characters
- 1
- Books
- 4

Mentions in the Iliad
A. T. Murray, Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1924 · Homer, Iliad with an English Translation · CC BY-SA 3.0 US
“And he loosed the flashing belt and the kilt beneath and the taslet that the coppersmiths fashioned. But when he saw the wound where the bitter arrow had lighted, he sucked out the blood, and with sure knowledge spread thereon soothing simples, which of old Cheiron had given to his father with kindly thought.”
“with warm water, and sprinkle thereon kindly simples of healing power, whereof men say that thou hast learned from Achilles, whom Cheiron taught, the most righteous of the Centaurs. For the leeches, Podaleirius and Machaon, the one methinks lieth wounded amid the huts,”
“Only the spear of the peerless son of Aeacus he took not, the spear heavy and huge and strong; this none other of the Achaeans could wield, but Achilles alone was skilled to wield it, even the Pelian spear of ash, that Cheiron had given to his dear father from the peak of Pelion, to be for the slaying of warriors.”
“even the Pelian spear of ash that Cheiron had given to his dear father from the peak of Pelion, to be for the slaying of warriors. And Automedon and Alcinous set them busily to yoke the horses, and about them they set the fair breast-straps, and cast bits within their jaws, and drew the reins”
See all 4
Connections
Taught by Chiron · Sources
with warm water, and sprinkle thereon kindly simples of healing power, whereof men say that thou hast learned from Achilles, whom Cheiron taught, the most righteous of the Centaurs. For the leeches, Podaleirius and Machaon, the one methinks lieth wounded amid the huts,
Il. 11.832
Connection · Sources
even the Pelian spear of ash that Cheiron had given to his dear father from the peak of Pelion, to be for the slaying of warriors. And Automedon and Alcinous set them busily to yoke the horses, and about them they set the fair breast-straps, and cast bits within their jaws, and drew the reins
Il. 19.391
See all 1
In art

Pompeo Batoni. Thetis takes Achilles from the Centaur Chiron. Hermitage Museum. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20486520
Image author: Pompeo Batoni
Image date: 1770

Eugène Delacroix. The Education of Achilles. National Assembly. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131109040

Donato Creti. Achilles Handing over to Chiron. Bologna City Art Collections. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q140958538
Image author: Donato Creti
Image date: first half of 18th century
See all 19

Donato Creti. The Education of Achilles by Chiron. Bologna City Art Collections. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q140997230

Gustave Moreau. Achilles the Centaur Chiron. collection du musée Gustave-Moreau. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19368671

Peter Paul Rubens. Achilles Educated by the Centaur Chiron. Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19925951

Jean-Baptiste Regnault. The Education of Achilles by the Centaur Chiron. Musée des Augustins. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27037220

Jean-Baptiste Regnault. Воспитание Ахиллеса кентавром Хироном. Department of Paintings of the Louvre. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29840438

Peter Paul Rubens. The Education of Achilles. Museo del Prado. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59771285

Peter Paul Rubens. Achilles raised by Chiron. Royal Museums of Art and History. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111906825

Wall painting - Odysseus discovering Achilles on Skyros - Pompeii (VI 9 6) - Napoli MAN 9110. Naples National Archaeological Museum. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q127514038

anonymous. Achilles confided to Chiron by his Mother, Thetis. National Trust. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q52206223
Image author: anonymous
Image date: between 1600 and 1699

Jean-Baptiste Regnault. Musée Calvet Regnault Jean-Baptiste Education d'Achille 1798. Calvet Museum. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57821041

Pompeo Batoni. Achilles and the Centaur Chiron. Uffizi Gallery. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20486507

Nicolai Abildgaard. Achilles and the Centaur Cheiron. Statens Museum for Kunst. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20551485

Giuseppe Maria Crespi. Achilles and Chiron. Kunsthistorisches Museum. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27981622

Etienne Perincioli. Centaur chiron. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64877760
Otto Petrenz. Centauer. CC0. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106253915

Achilles and Chiron fresco from the Basilica. Naples National Archaeological Museum. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125810527
04 / PROVENANCE
Sources and verification
The character is matched to the catalogue.
- Wikipedia · Chiron · CC BY-SA 4.0
Excerpt; remaining sentences omitted.
Reference material remains distinct from the poem’s assertions. Characters who share a name retain separate pages.
