Pirithous

Overview

Pirithous is king of the Lapiths, close companion of Theseus and bridegroom at the wedding where the Centauromachy begins.

Generation

Great Heroic Age

Symbols

Lapiths, Thessaly, wedding, Theseus

Notes

Pirithous is king of the Lapiths and one of the closest heroic companions of Theseus.

His marriage to Hippodamia becomes the setting for the Centauromachy.

The Centaurs attend the wedding feast but violence erupts after they become intoxicated and attempt to seize women from the celebration.

Pirithous and the Lapiths resist, with Theseus fighting beside them.

The resulting conflict becomes one of the most famous battles of the Greek Heroic Age.

Pirithous later accompanies Theseus on the disastrous attempt to obtain Persephone from the Underworld.

His mythology therefore links heroic friendship, the Centauromachy and the dangerous later adventures of Theseus.