Arctus (centaur)

This article is about a centaur in Greek mythology. For other uses, see Arctus.

In Greek mythology, Arctus (Ancient Greek: Ἄρκτον, romanized: Arktos) was a centaur who fought against the Lapith spearmen. His name means 'bear' in Ancient Greek.

Mythology

Arctus is briefly mentioned by Hesiod, describing the shield of Heracles:

And there was the strife of the Lapith spearmen gathered round the prince Caeneus and Dryas and Peirithöus, with Hopleus, Exadius, Phalereus, and Prolochus, Mopsus the son of Ampyce of Titaresia, a scion of Ares, and Theseus, the son of Aegeus, like unto the deathless gods. These were of silver, and had armour of gold upon their bodies. And the Centaurs were gathered against them on the other side with Petraeus and Asbolus the diviner, Arctus, and Ureus, and black-haired Mimas, and the two sons of Peuceus, Perimedes and Dryalus: these were of silver, and they had pinetrees of gold in their hands, and they were rushing together as though they were alive and striking at one another hand to hand with spears and with pines.

See also

• Ursa Major
• Arctic

References

• Hesiod, Shield of Heracles from The Homeric Hymns and Homerica with an English Translation by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1914. Online version in Greek and English at Internet Archive.