LAPITH WARRIOR (soldier of the Lapith tribe)
People and soldiers · legendary people in Greek mythology
The people were named after their ancestor Lapithes, who had settled in the lands near the river.5 Simonides called the Lapithae and Perrhaebi collectively Pelasgiotae.4 Under leaders such as Peirithous and Ixion, the Lapithae conquered the Perrhaebi to gain control of the region, forcing many to retreat to mountainous areas.3 Peirithous expelled the Centaurs from Pelion and gave the plains to the Lapithae.3
The Lapithae, alongside Theseus, killed many Centaurs who had seized women and boys during the disturbance.6,7,8,9 They took immediate vengeance on the drunken Centaur Eurytion, cutting off his ears and nostrils and dragging him out of Peirithous's house.10 After the initial violence, the Lapithae defeated the remaining Centaurs in war and eventually expelled them from the country.11,6 In battle, the Lapiths struck at the Centaurs hand to hand with spears, gathering around leaders like Caeneus, Dryas, and Peirithous, with Hopleus among them.1
Mopsus, a Lapith who sailed with the Argonauts, gave his name to Mopsium, while Polyphemus fought alongside them against the Centaurs.12,13 Later, Heracles and the Arcadians defeated the Lapithae in battle, and Heracles killed Coronus, the king of the Lapithae, while aiding Aegimius.2,14 The Lapithae also expelled the majority of the Aenianes from their settlement in the Dotian plain.12
The Lapith chieftains were characterized as the bravest defenders at the gates, fighting with great fury and trusting in their own prowess.15 The chieftains rushed outside to fight in front of the gates, standing firm and refusing to be driven away, while also cheering the Achaeans to stand firm in defense.15 Even when the overall Greek forces suffered defeat, the Lapithae continued to fight vigorously.16 Their legacy includes the invention of the ring and bridle-reins for mounting horses, and they taught warriors to kick the ground and arch their feet while riding.17 Ares once had the power to slay the Lapithae.18
The codex facts behind this entry
The group was named after the ancestor Lapithes who settled near the Peneius river. Diodorus 4.69 Simonides calls the Lapithae and Perrhaebi collectively Pelasgiotae. Strabo 9.5.20 Eetion was a member of the Lapith lineage. Herodotus 5.92B.1
Powers
The Lapithae possessed a military force that greatly outnumbered the Dorieis. Diodorus 4.37
In the myths
The Lapiths, alongside Theseus, killed many Centaurs who assaulted women at a wedding. Diodorus 4.70 +2 The Lapiths gathered around the prince Caeneus, who assisted Peirithous, during the conflict with the Centaurs. Pausanias 5.10.8 +1 The Lapiths forced Chiron to leave his home on Mount Pelion. Apollodorus 2.5.4 The Lapithæ were involved in battles caused by a specific woman. Ovid Met. 14.609-697 (4) Nestor claims he was invited to visit the Lapithae from the distant Apian land. Strabo 1.1.16 Polyphemus fought alongside the Lapithae during their conflict with the Centaurs. Argonautica 1 ¶6 Heracles killed Coronus and other Lapiths while aiding Aegimius. Apollodorus 2.7.7 The Lapithae are depicted in a sculpture by Alcamenes on a temple pediment. Pausanias 5.10.8 The Lapithae expelled the majority of the Aenianes from their settlement in the Dotian plain. Strabo 9.5.22 Hieronymus claimed the Lapithae drove the Pelasgi out of Thessaly into Italy. Strabo 9.5.22
Fate
Many Lapiths were slain by the Centaurs during a subsequent military campaign. Diodorus 4.70 King Coronus was killed by Heracles during the conflict. Diodorus 4.37 Most of the remaining Lapithae were massacred by Heracles and his allies. Diodorus 4.37 The surviving Lapithae were forced to withdraw from the disputed land. Diodorus 4.37
