The Centaur's Smile

the long version

"This book is the first to investigate representations of human animals in early Greek art (ca. 750-450 B.C.). The Centaur's Smile discusses the oriental antecedents of these fantastic creatures, examining the influence of Egyptian and Near Eastern models on the formation of Greek monsters in the Geometric and Archaic periods. Fully illustrated essays explore the nature and origin of horse men (centaurs and satyrs) and the broader range of Greek composite creatures, discussing their evolving forms and changing roles during this seminal period of Greek art."--Book jacket.