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".

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Mentions: 4
Connected characters: 2
Books: 4

Achilles and Chiron fresco from the Basilica · BeakheadIntradosImage source CC BY-SA 4.0

Mentions in the Iliad

All · 4 Book 4 · 1 Book 11 · 1 Book 16 · 1 Book 19 · 1

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.”

Il. 4.215–219

“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. 11.830–834

“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.”

Il. 16.140–144

“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. 19.390–394

Connections

All · 2 Events · 1 Other · 2

AchillesMortal man

Taught by Chiron Connection

Taught by Chiron · Sources

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

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

PeleusMortal man

Connection

Connection · Sources

Connection · Sources

Стихи 16.143–144: ясень с Пелиона «был принесен для Пелея Хироном» — прямое отношение дарителя и получателя.

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.

Il. 16.143–144

In art

All · 19 Painting · 14 Tapestry · 1 Other · 3 Sculpture · 1

Thetis takes Achilles from the Centaur ChironPompeo Batoni · 1770Hermitage MuseumInv. ГЭ-2608

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

Photograph / reproduction: Pompeo Batoni

Photograph / reproduction date: 1770

Mentions in the Iliad

Connections

In art

Sources and verification