PHOLUS (centaur in Greek mythology)
Monster · centaur in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Silenus, Melia
- Allies
- Heracles
- Symbols and gear
- centaurs, scyphus
- Haunts and cult places
- Pholoe
- In the sources
- 10 ancient passages
Pholus was a centaur, son of Silenus and a Melian nymph, who lived near a mountain that took its name from him.1,2 He resided in the region of Pholoe, where he maintained a hall that served as a gathering place for his kindred.1,3 A cave associated with Pholus was the site of a battle involving centaurs.4,5
Pholus hosted Heracles, serving him roasted meat while eating his own food raw.1 Following instructions from Dionysus, Pholus opened a buried jar of wine that belonged to the centaurs in common, an act he had previously refused due to fear of the consequences.2,1 The scent of the opened wine drove nearby centaurs to madness and violence, prompting them to storm the hall in a violent conflict.2,3 Pholus hid in fear as the enraged centaurs attacked his dwelling to steal the wine.2
In one version, he died instantly from an unhealable wound caused by an arrow barb that struck his foot when it slipped from his hand while burying fallen kindred.1,2 Heracles found the body upon returning to Pholoe and buried Pholus, a site marked by the mountain that bears his name.1,2
The codex facts behind this entry
Pholus was a centaur who was the son of Silenus and a Melian nymph. Apollodorus 2.5.4 Pholus was a centaur who lived near a mountain that took its name from him. Diodorus 4.12
In the myths
He refused to open the wine jar because he feared the consequences. Apollodorus 2.5.4 He was wounded by an arrow barb while burying fallen Centaurs who were his kindred. Diodorus 4.12 Pholus hid in fear when the enraged centaurs attacked his dwelling to steal the wine. Diodorus 4.12 The scent of the opened wine drove nearby centaurs to madness and violence. Diodorus 4.12 He opened a buried jar of wine for Heracles following instructions from Dionysus. Diodorus 4.12 The centaurs stormed the hall of Pholus during a violent conflict. Quintus 6 ¶20 Heracles buried Pholus after finding his body upon returning to Pholoe. Apollodorus 2.5.4 He served roasted meat to Heracles while eating his own food raw. Apollodorus 2.5.4 Pholus was killed by Tydeus using a sword. Statius, Thebaid 8.453-480 ¶2 Heracles struck Pholus down during his battles against the centaurs. Aeneid 8.280
Fate
He died instantly from an unhealable wound caused by an arrow barb that struck his foot when it slipped from his hand. Apollodorus 2.5.4 +1 Pholus was killed by Dionysus, who quelled the wine-frenzied centaurs with death. Georgics 2.426
