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

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.”
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

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

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

Il. 19.391

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

Il. 16.143–144

In art

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

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

Photograph / reproduction: Donato Creti

Photograph / reproduction date: first half of 18th century

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

See all 19

Sources and verification

The character is matched to the catalogue.

Wikidata Q183417

Reference material remains distinct from the poem’s assertions. Characters who share a name retain separate pages.