Pirithous

pi-rith'o-us, in Greek legend, the king of the Lapithae in Thessaly. It was at his wedding to Hippodamia that the famous battle between the Lapithae and the Centaurs occurred. After Hippodamia's death Pirithous and his friend Theseus determined to wed daughters of Zeus. Theseus carried off Helen from Sparta, Pirithous aiding him. Pirithous thought he would like to get possession of Persephone, wife of Hades. The two friends descended, therefore, to the lower world, but they had been too bold. Hades seized them and fastened them to a rock. When Hercules visited Hades at a later time he released Theseus, but there was no help for Pirithous. Castor and Pollux recovered their sister, Helen, and took her home again.