Editing Chiron (section)

==Statius' ''Achilleid''==
[[File:Jean-Baptiste Regnault 001.jpg|thumb|[[Jean-Baptiste Regnault]]  (1754–1829): ''L'Éducation d'Achille par le centaure Chiron'' (The Education of Achilles by the centaur Chiron, 1782.) [[Louvre|Musée du Louvre]], Paris. Chiron teaches the art of archery.]]
''The [[Achilleid]]'' was to be an epic poem on the life of [[Achilles]]. However, its author, [[Statius]], died during the writing of the second book late in the first century AD during the reign of the Emperor [[Domitian]]. ''The Achilleid'' shows the relationship between Chiron and his charge, Achilles. During Book One, the close relationship between Chiron and Achilles is made clear when [[Thetis]] spends the evening with them in Chiron's cave on Mount [[Pelion]], before leaving with Achilles. Chiron is shown in a paternal capacity, rather than that of merely a teacher, and is depicted as far from animal. <blockquote>Night draws to slumber. The huge Centaur collapses on stone and Achilles fondly twines himself about his shoulders, though his mother is there, preferring the familiar bosom. ''(''1.195–97). </blockquote>Here, Statius is showing a loving relationship between the two characters, which the traditional view of Chiron never explored. Later, when describing what he ate when growing up, Achilles refers to Chiron as a parent; ''"thus that father of mine used to feed me" (''2.102), the Latin used here is 'pater' so we may judge this an accurate translation. This further demonstrates the nature of the loving relationship between Chiron and Achilles. Statius here may be continuing a theme started by [[Ovid]] in ''[[Fasti (poem)|Fasti]]'' several years earlier.

In ''Fasti'', on Chiron's death, Achilles says ''"'Live, I beg you; don't leave me, dear father [pater]!'"(''5.412), this would suggest that in Rome the reconfiguration of Chiron's myth was as a loving and loved foster parent, rather than simply teacher. Chiron's relationship with his pupil is used to demonstrate a Roman longing for the father-son relationship.

In addition to Chiron's loving characteristics developed in Book One, Book Two of ''The Achilleid'' has Achilles describe many tasks Chiron would make him perform during his heroic education, including standing in fast flowing rivers;<blockquote>I stood, but the angry river and the mist of his broad rush took me back. He bore down on me with savage threats and scolded to shame me. I did not leave till ordered (2.146–150). </blockquote>There is a clear contrast here in the hardship and insults Chiron is directing at his pupil compared to his previous kindness. However, this duality can be seen as a demonstration of a traditional [[Education in ancient Rome|Roman education]], especially a noble one; learning both military and refined arts. Centaurs in antiquity were often remembered for their battle with the [[Lapiths]]. Statius deliberately disassociates Chiron from this story with his description of Chiron's cave on Pelion,<blockquote>Here are no darts that have tasted human blood, no ash trees fractured in festive combats, nor mixing bowls shattered upon kindred foes (1.111–15).</blockquote>Instead of combat, the emphasis is that Chiron's weapons are only used for hunting and there are no signs of savage behaviour. In addition to Achilles' descriptions of the physical lessons Chiron gives him he also refers to a more cultured education, <blockquote>He fixed in my mind the precepts of sacred justice (2.163–4). </blockquote>Statius creates an image of Chiron that is not only a loving father, but a strict and wise teacher, disassociated with the bestial aspects of centaurs.