The Roots of the Name "Centaur"

Studying the word origins of this name will lead us into a deeper understanding of the nature of the centaur. As put forth by Page duBois:

The work done recently by Jeffrey Henderson on obscene language in Aristophones adds support to the view of the Centaurs as sexually charged beings. He notes that "kentron, any point or goad, was common for phallus," tauros meant intercourse in which "the woman bends backwards and thrusts her hips forward. As a sexual term this word always includes rapid pelvic motion, whether as a part of a seductive dance or actually in coitus. (duBois p.31)

The term "tauros" can refer to the sexual intercourse between male and female or between male and male.

Back to background page.