15th century Herbarium illustrating the plants Asphodel, Oxilapatium, and Centauria maior held by a centaur. A centaur is a is a mythological creature with the head, arms, and torso of a human and the body and legs of a horse. Most are wild and savage, known for lustfulness and drunkenness. The exception is the wise Centaur Chiron. The father of Centaurs was Centaurus, who was held in disrepute by both men and gods. He gave birth to the race of Centaurs by mating with Magnesian mares.