Chiron

Chiron (kī`rŏn), in Greek mythology, centaur, son of Kronos. He was a renowned sage, physician, and prophet. Among his pupils were Hercules, Achilles, Jason, and Asclepius. When Hercules accidentally wounded Chiron, the pain was so great that Chiron surrendered his immortality to Prometheus and died. Zeus then set him among the stars as the constellation Sagittarius.

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Chiron

In Greek mythology, one of the Centaurs. The son of Cronus and the sea nymph Philyra, he lived at the foot of Mount Pelion in Thessaly and was renowned for his wisdom and his knowledge of medicine. He was the teacher of many Greek heroes, including Achilles, Heracles, Jason, and Asclepius. Wounded accidentally by a poisoned arrow shot by Heracles, he was in such agony that he surrendered his immortality in order to die. Zeus placed him among the stars as the constellation Sagittarius.

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Chiron

Comet once thought to be the most distant known asteroid. Discovered in 1977, it travels in an unstable, eccentric orbit between those of Saturn and Uranus. In 1989 astronomers detected a fuzzy cloud (coma) around Chiron. Because such a cloud is a defining feature of comets, Chiron was reclassified as a comet. See also Centaur object.

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Chiron

immortal centaur. [Gk. Myth.: Kravitz, 58]

See : Immortality

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Chiron

centaur, gave up his immortality in order to end the intolerable suffering accidentally inflicted by one of Heracles’ poisoned arrows. [Gk. Myth.: Benét, 194]

See : Suffering

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Chiron

knowledgeable Centaur; instructed Achilles, Jason, and Asclepius. [Gk. Myth.: Parrinder, 62]

See : Teaching, Wisdom