The Centaurs were violent, humanoid creatures with a human torso and a horse's body. When Pirithous, king of the Lapiths and a half-brother of the Centaurs, summoned Eurytion, one of the Centaurs, to his wedding to Hippodamia, Eurytion got drank, resulting to him behaving badly and attempting to kidnap the beautiful Hippodamia. The Lapiths were outraged by the disrespect shown by the guest at their king's wedding. They cut off his ears and nose and ordered him to leave the feast. When the Centaurs learned of the Lapiths' act, they attacked them. Although they were more powerful, they did not manage to defeat the Lapiths, who had Theseus, who was a guest at the wedding and brother-in-law of the groom, on their side. The Lapiths hunted and chased the Centaurs who survived away from Pelion.