In Greek mythology, the hero Achilles was said to have been fed a special diet by his tutor Chiron, a centaur known for his knowledge of medicine among other things, to make him strong. This diet reportedly included the marrow of various animals. Here are some details from different sources:
- A source mentions that under Chiron’s care, Achilles was fed a diet that included the marrow of she-wolves, along with the innards of lions and wild pigs oai_citation:1,Who was Achilles? | British Museum.
- Another source explains that some mythic traditions hold that Chiron fed Achilles a diet of boar and lion entrails, as well as the marrow of bear bones, to impart the strength of those beasts into him oai_citation:2,DiscoverNet | The Mythology Of Achilles Explained.
- A third source from a Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology also mentions that Chiron fed Achilles with the hearts of lions and the marrow of bears oai_citation:3,A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology, Achilles.
These mythical narratives underline the belief in the ancient world regarding the imparting of strength and other desirable qualities through the consumption of certain parts of powerful or ferocious animals.