Pirithous was the leader of the Lapiths in their battle against the Centaurs. He was the Lapith king of Larissa in Thessaly and a celebrated companion of the Athenian hero Theseus.
The conflict began at Pirithous’s wedding to Hippodamia. The Centaurs, unused to wine, became violent when the centaur Eurytion tried to seize the bride. Other Centaurs attacked the Lapith women, triggering the Centauromachy, or battle between Lapiths and Centaurs. Pirithous led his people in the fighting, with Theseus helping the Lapiths win.
Theseus is a common mix-up because he is prominently portrayed as a Lapith ally and appears in many artistic versions of the battle. The episode became a major Greek art subject, including the Parthenon metopes, where the struggle symbolized the clash between civilized order and uncontrolled savagery. Pirithous later became famous for his close friendship with Theseus and their ill-fated journey to the Underworld.