Ipotane

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In Greek mythology, Ipotanes were a race of half-horse, half-humans, unlike the satyrs, who were half-goat.[1]

The typical Ipotane looked overall human, but had the legs, hindquarters, tail, and ears of a horse. However, some had humanlike rather than horselike legs (compare with early Centaurs, whose front legs were often humanlike). The Greek suggested by "ipotane" is ἱππότης (hippotas). It means a person riding a horse. It is also used as an adjective as in ἱππότης λεὼς (hippotas leos) — horse riding people. The definition given above would fit ἱππότης λεὼς — "horse-people".

Cf. Liddell & Scott, Greek-English Lexicon.

Such a person would not look "overall human"; rather, the torso would look human.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Encyclopedia Mythica - Sileni Greek woodland gods or spirits, closely connected to the satyrs. They were occasionally referred to as being half-man half-horse, in stead of half-man half-goat. The Sileni were portrayed as lechers and drunkards, bald-headed and pot-bellied, with thick lips and stub noses, and with the tails and ears of a horse. The flute and lyre are their attributes. The Sileni can often be found in the company of Dionysus. Later mentioned as only one Silenus, the tutor and companion of Dionysus.