ELEMENTARY - Old Greek Stories by James Baldwin and Gods and Heroes by R.E. Francillon
NLE 1/2 - Bulfinch's Mythology (Chapters 1-10)
NLE 1 - Bulfinch's Mythology (Chapters 11-20)
NLE 2 - Bulfinch's Mythology (Chapters 21-30)
NLE 3 - Bulfinch's Mythology (Chapters 31-41)
NLE 4 - Metamorphoses by Ovid
NLE 5 - Apollodorus' Library
NLE 6 - The Iliad by Homer
NLE 7- The Odyssey by Homer
A long, long time ago…
Before Kepler and Galileo
Johannes Kepler was a 17th century German mathematician and astronomer. Among his discoveries was the mathematical principles governing the elliptical orbits of celestial bodies. Galileo Galilei was an Italian mathematician and astronomer who invented a crude telescope and with it discovered four of Jupiter's moons.
Johannes Kepler was a 17th century German mathematician and astronomer. Among his discoveries was the mathematical principles governing the elliptical orbits of celestial bodies. Galileo Galilei was an Italian mathematician and astronomer who invented a crude telescope and with it discovered four of Jupiter's moons.
The constellations got their names.
And in the northern hemisphere
Just 48 shine bright and clear
And the Greeks told stories of their
fame.
There are 88 constellations officially recognized by the scientific community. Ptolemy's famous astronomical text, the Amalgest, lists 48 of them, the ones clearly visible from Greece and recognized by Greek astronomers. The modern scientific list of "northern" constellations (those easily visible from Greece and latitudes to the north) is only slightly different, adding Canes Venatici, Coma Berenices, Leo Minor (those three made it into the song), Camelopardalis, Vulpecula, Lacerta, Lynx, Monoceros, and Scutum (those six didn't make the song "cut") to the list of 48. The mythology of ancient Greece and Rome is intimately intertwined with Ptolemy's northern constellations (i.e. the ones visible from the countries where their myths developed.) The pronunciation of the mythological names in this song follows the conventions of the scientific community and is not true to classical Greek or Latin.
There are 88 constellations officially recognized by the scientific community. Ptolemy's famous astronomical text, the Amalgest, lists 48 of them, the ones clearly visible from Greece and recognized by Greek astronomers. The modern scientific list of "northern" constellations (those easily visible from Greece and latitudes to the north) is only slightly different, adding Canes Venatici, Coma Berenices, Leo Minor (those three made it into the song), Camelopardalis, Vulpecula, Lacerta, Lynx, Monoceros, and Scutum (those six didn't make the song "cut") to the list of 48. The mythology of ancient Greece and Rome is intimately intertwined with Ptolemy's northern constellations (i.e. the ones visible from the countries where their myths developed.) The pronunciation of the mythological names in this song follows the conventions of the scientific community and is not true to classical Greek or Latin.
Eridānus made me shiver,
Phaethon, the son of Apollo/Helios, borrowed the chariot of the sun from his father and drove it across the vault of heaven. After he encountered celestial monsters like Scorpio and Draco, he lost control of the chariot and began to scorch the earth. To avoid earth's destruction, Zeus struck Phaethon with lightning and his smoldering remains landed in a river, called the Eridānus, which is represented by this long, flowing constellation at the foot of Orion.
Phaethon, the son of Apollo/Helios, borrowed the chariot of the sun from his father and drove it across the vault of heaven. After he encountered celestial monsters like Scorpio and Draco, he lost control of the chariot and began to scorch the earth. To avoid earth's destruction, Zeus struck Phaethon with lightning and his smoldering remains landed in a river, called the Eridānus, which is represented by this long, flowing constellation at the foot of Orion.
As Orion strode through that river,
The hunter Orion (a half-blood conceived by Poseidon or born from the urine of Poseidon, Zeus, and Hermes) chases two objects across the sky: his love interest, the Pleiades, and the hare whom he chases with his two trusty hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor (see below). Orion was killed, either by the monstrous Scorpio (placed at the other end of the celestial globe to keep him from Orion - see below), or by Artemis, whom Apollo tricked into killing him.
The hunter Orion (a half-blood conceived by Poseidon or born from the urine of Poseidon, Zeus, and Hermes) chases two objects across the sky: his love interest, the Pleiades, and the hare whom he chases with his two trusty hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor (see below). Orion was killed, either by the monstrous Scorpio (placed at the other end of the celestial globe to keep him from Orion - see below), or by Artemis, whom Apollo tricked into killing him.
Cānis ran to intercept
Cānis Major (Latin canis = dog; maior = bigger) follows closely on Orion's heels. The brightest star in the sky, the Dog-star Sirius, shines in this constellation. This dog, named Laelaps, originally belonged to Procris, the daughter of the Athenian king Erechtheus (whose Erechtheum sits atop the Acropolis in Athens.) Laelaps was so fast that no prey could outrun him.
Cānis Major (Latin canis = dog; maior = bigger) follows closely on Orion's heels. The brightest star in the sky, the Dog-star Sirius, shines in this constellation. This dog, named Laelaps, originally belonged to Procris, the daughter of the Athenian king Erechtheus (whose Erechtheum sits atop the Acropolis in Athens.) Laelaps was so fast that no prey could outrun him.
Lēpus underneath his step.
The constellation Lēpus (Latin lepus = hare) runs from Orion and his dogs. Hermes placed him in the sky because he admired the hare's speed.
The constellation Lēpus (Latin lepus = hare) runs from Orion and his dogs. Hermes placed him in the sky because he admired the hare's speed.
The Dog in Argo seems to ride,
Jason and the Argonauts, in their quest to find the golden fleece in Colchis, traveled in a ship called the Argo. Ptolemy The constellation Carīna (Latin carina = bottom of a ship) represents the hull of their swift ship.
Jason and the Argonauts, in their quest to find the golden fleece in Colchis, traveled in a ship called the Argo. Ptolemy The constellation Carīna (Latin carina = bottom of a ship) represents the hull of their swift ship.
Canis Minor follows his stride,
Usually the constellation Cānis Minor (Latin canis = dog; minor = smaller) is identified as one of Orion's hunting dogs. It contains the brilliant star Procyon. In another myth this is Maera, Icarius' faithful dog. After Icarius (the inventor of wine) was murdered, Maera brought his young daughter, Erigone, to his body. In another myth, it is the Teumessian fox, which was a monstrous fox destined never to be caught. Hercules' father, Amphitryon, employed the dog Laelaps (Canis Major) to catch the fox. The paradox of the unavoidable predator (Laelaps) and the uncatchable prey (Teumessian fox) caused Zeus to change both into stone and to place them in the sky.
Auriga above and the Twins beside,
Auriga (Latin auriga = charioteer) might depict Erechtheus (aka Erechtonius), the son of Hephaestus, who was raised by Athene and who first harnessed four horses to a chariot. It could also depict Myrtilus, the charioteer of King Oenomaus of Pisa (the father of Hippodamia). He, after having helped to murder Oenomaus and having attempted to seduce Hippodamia, the wife of Pelops (son of Tantalus), was thrown into the sea by Pelops. Finally, it could represent Hippolytus, the son of Theseus, who was thrown from his chariot and killed when leaving Athens after being banished for his step-mother Phaedra's lust. Asclepius (represented as the constellation Ophiuchus) brought him back to life. Auriga contains the star "capella" (Latin for "she-goat") which represents the fairy-goat Amaltheia who nurtured the infant Zeus on the island of Crete. For the "Twins beside" see the next entry.
Auriga above and the Twins beside,
Auriga (Latin auriga = charioteer) might depict Erechtheus (aka Erechtonius), the son of Hephaestus, who was raised by Athene and who first harnessed four horses to a chariot. It could also depict Myrtilus, the charioteer of King Oenomaus of Pisa (the father of Hippodamia). He, after having helped to murder Oenomaus and having attempted to seduce Hippodamia, the wife of Pelops (son of Tantalus), was thrown into the sea by Pelops. Finally, it could represent Hippolytus, the son of Theseus, who was thrown from his chariot and killed when leaving Athens after being banished for his step-mother Phaedra's lust. Asclepius (represented as the constellation Ophiuchus) brought him back to life. Auriga contains the star "capella" (Latin for "she-goat") which represents the fairy-goat Amaltheia who nurtured the infant Zeus on the island of Crete. For the "Twins beside" see the next entry.
The Gemini, their mother’s pride.
Gemini (Latin gemini = twins) is a constellation representing the twin boys Castor and Pollux (called the Dioscuri by the Greeks). They had the same mother, Leda, but different fathers, Tyndareus and Zeus respectively, for on the night of their conception, Zeus in the form of a swan had relations with Leda, resulting in Pollux and Helen, and Tyndareus had relations with his wife that same night, resulting in Castor and Clytamnestra. The twin boys were inseparable and fought many battles together. Castor was a skilled swordsman while Pollux was a powerful pugilist.
Gemini (Latin gemini = twins) is a constellation representing the twin boys Castor and Pollux (called the Dioscuri by the Greeks). They had the same mother, Leda, but different fathers, Tyndareus and Zeus respectively, for on the night of their conception, Zeus in the form of a swan had relations with Leda, resulting in Pollux and Helen, and Tyndareus had relations with his wife that same night, resulting in Castor and Clytamnestra. The twin boys were inseparable and fought many battles together. Castor was a skilled swordsman while Pollux was a powerful pugilist.
So high, high just look up in the sky.
See Orion mighty hunter
Look a Bull in the eye
The constellation Orion looks at the constellation Taurus (Latin taurus = bull), but their myths remain separate. Taurus is either the bull-form Zeus adopted in order to seduce the Tyrian maiden Europa (carrying her off to Crete and siring King Minos with her) or it is the cow-form of Zeus' lover Io, whom Hera placed under the watchful guard of the 100-eyed monster Argus. This constellation contains the bright, beautiful red star Aldebaran.
The constellation Orion looks at the constellation Taurus (Latin taurus = bull), but their myths remain separate. Taurus is either the bull-form Zeus adopted in order to seduce the Tyrian maiden Europa (carrying her off to Crete and siring King Minos with her) or it is the cow-form of Zeus' lover Io, whom Hera placed under the watchful guard of the 100-eyed monster Argus. This constellation contains the bright, beautiful red star Aldebaran.
As the Pleiades flee and the Hyades cry
Singin’, “this’ll be the day that we
die.
this’ll be the day that we die.”
The Pleiades form a brilliant blue asterism in Taurus (an asterism is a star formation, like the big dipper, that is not a cataloged constellation.) Mythologically, they were the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione (an Oceanid). Each of the seven stars has an important mythological name: Alcyone (al-SIE-oh-nee) and Celaeno (seh-LEE-noh) (consorts of Poseidon), Maia (MY-uh) (Zeus' consort who bore Hermes), Electra (Zeus' consort who bore Dardanus, the founder of Troy), Taygete (tay-GEH-tee) (Zeus' consort who bore Lacedaemon, founder of Sparta), Asterope (as-TER-o-pee) (mother of Oenomaus, the "charioteer" in Auriga, by Ares), and Merope (MER-oh-pee) (the wife of Sisyphus.)
The Hyades form another asterism, this one outlining the head of Taurus. Mythologically, they are the daughters of Atlas and Aethra (an Oceanid). They died of grief mourning for their brother Hyas who was tragically killed by a lioness.
The Pleiades form a brilliant blue asterism in Taurus (an asterism is a star formation, like the big dipper, that is not a cataloged constellation.) Mythologically, they were the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione (an Oceanid). Each of the seven stars has an important mythological name: Alcyone (al-SIE-oh-nee) and Celaeno (seh-LEE-noh) (consorts of Poseidon), Maia (MY-uh) (Zeus' consort who bore Hermes), Electra (Zeus' consort who bore Dardanus, the founder of Troy), Taygete (tay-GEH-tee) (Zeus' consort who bore Lacedaemon, founder of Sparta), Asterope (as-TER-o-pee) (mother of Oenomaus, the "charioteer" in Auriga, by Ares), and Merope (MER-oh-pee) (the wife of Sisyphus.)
The Hyades form another asterism, this one outlining the head of Taurus. Mythologically, they are the daughters of Atlas and Aethra (an Oceanid). They died of grief mourning for their brother Hyas who was tragically killed by a lioness.
Leo Major and the little cub…
Was the Nemean Lion crushed by his Club,
If Hercules told you so?
If Hercules told you so?
The contellation Leo Major (Latin leo = lion; maior = bigger) represents the Nemean Lion, the first of Hercules' twelve labors. This monster's skin could not be pierced by any weapon. Hercules strangled it and wore its skin as armor. You may consider Leo Minor (Latin minor = smaller), the little lion cub, to be the offspring of the Nemean Lion, but it was not recognized by the Greeks. Hercules (Greek Hera + kleos = glory) himself, with his giant club, forms a large constellation, as do many of the monsters which Hercules faced.
Did he kill the Hydra with Iolaus’ help,
Did fire put an end to that monster’s
yelp,
And did he kick Hera’s Crab with his toe?
The constellation Hydra represents the Lernean Hydra, the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, a serpent-monster with nine heads. When Hercules faced this monster, the second of his labors, he found that when he cut off one of the Hydra's heads, two more grew in its place. To make matters worse, Hera sent a giant crab, represented by the constellation Cancer (Latin cancer = crab) to attack him at the same time. Hercules crushed the crab and found that if his charioteer, Iolaus, burned the bloody stump after he knocked off a head, no heads would grow back. Thus, Hercules successfully defeated the Hydra.
To help keep Hercules' twelve labors straight, the following poem may help:
And did he kick Hera’s Crab with his toe?
The constellation Hydra represents the Lernean Hydra, the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, a serpent-monster with nine heads. When Hercules faced this monster, the second of his labors, he found that when he cut off one of the Hydra's heads, two more grew in its place. To make matters worse, Hera sent a giant crab, represented by the constellation Cancer (Latin cancer = crab) to attack him at the same time. Hercules crushed the crab and found that if his charioteer, Iolaus, burned the bloody stump after he knocked off a head, no heads would grow back. Thus, Hercules successfully defeated the Hydra.
To help keep Hercules' twelve labors straight, the following poem may help:
It's said Amphitryon Alcmene wed,
But Zeus' son was sired upon
their bed.
Then “Hera’s glory,” Hulk-strong Hercules,
Destroyed his sons by Hera’s
mind disease.
Twelve labors, as he served Eurystheus,
As penance Delphi gave for
crime’s redress:
First, kill the Nemean Lion, she required,
Then burn the Hydra’s heads
with fire;
Third, capture Diane’s sacred
golden Hind,
And fourth the Erymanthian
Boar to bind;
Then clean the filthy stables of Augeas,
And armed with sound Stymphalian birds oppress;
Then carry back the wandering bull
of Crete
And make the king of Thrace a
horse’s treat;
Then take Hippolyta’s bright, golden belt
And Geryon’s cattle which in
Erythia dwelt;
Then steal Hesperides’ apples, Ladon bound,
And Cerberus the
triple-headed hound.
Of these, his labors twelve,
the stars attest
Where
Hercules from Hydra’s blood found rest.
by Joe Klomparens
by Joe Klomparens
Virgo with her spike of wheat,
The constellation Virgo (Latin virgo = virgin or maiden) represents either Dike (aka Astraeia), the goddess of justice who abandoned the earth after Zeus rebelled against his father, Cronos, or Demeter/Ceres, the Greek and Roman goddess of agriculture who lost her daughter, Persephone/Proserpina, to her brother Hades. Virgo's constellation is shown with a shaft of wheat represented by the star Spica.
The constellation Virgo (Latin virgo = virgin or maiden) represents either Dike (aka Astraeia), the goddess of justice who abandoned the earth after Zeus rebelled against his father, Cronos, or Demeter/Ceres, the Greek and Roman goddess of agriculture who lost her daughter, Persephone/Proserpina, to her brother Hades. Virgo's constellation is shown with a shaft of wheat represented by the star Spica.
Centaur and Lupus beneath her feet.
The constellation Centaurus (Latin centaurus = centaur) represents Chiron, the son of Cronos and Philyra. He lived in a cave on Mt. Pelion and taught hunting, music, and medicine to many of Greek mythology's greatest heroes: Hercules, Achilles, Jason, and Asclepius. The constellation Lupus (Latin lupus = wolf) represents an unknown beast being carried on a pole by Chiron (either after hunting or as a sacrifice.) Nearby is Ara (Latin ara = altar), the altar on which Chiron will sacrifice his victim (or the altar on which the gods Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia swore that they would overthrow the rule of the Titans, thus beginning the Titanomachy.)
The constellation Centaurus (Latin centaurus = centaur) represents Chiron, the son of Cronos and Philyra. He lived in a cave on Mt. Pelion and taught hunting, music, and medicine to many of Greek mythology's greatest heroes: Hercules, Achilles, Jason, and Asclepius. The constellation Lupus (Latin lupus = wolf) represents an unknown beast being carried on a pole by Chiron (either after hunting or as a sacrifice.) Nearby is Ara (Latin ara = altar), the altar on which Chiron will sacrifice his victim (or the altar on which the gods Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia swore that they would overthrow the rule of the Titans, thus beginning the Titanomachy.)
The Crater’s waters flow
And seem to mock the Crow.
The constellation Crater represents a Greek krater, a two-handled cup, and the constellation Corvus (Latin corvus = crow) represents a crow trying to get a drink from the krater. According to Ovid, the crow was supposed to use the krater to bring Apollo water for a sacrifice. Instead, he ate some figs and brought back an excuse to Apollo who, knowing the truth, placed the crow in the stars with the cup of water flowing forever just out of his reach.
The constellation Crater represents a Greek krater, a two-handled cup, and the constellation Corvus (Latin corvus = crow) represents a crow trying to get a drink from the krater. According to Ovid, the crow was supposed to use the krater to bring Apollo water for a sacrifice. Instead, he ate some figs and brought back an excuse to Apollo who, knowing the truth, placed the crow in the stars with the cup of water flowing forever just out of his reach.
Bootes stands there watching the bear
As the Cānēs Venaticī chase her from
there;
The constellation Bootes represents the hunter Arcas, son of Zeus and Callisto. At a feast, Callisto's father, King Lycaon, dismembered his grandson Arcas and served him to Zeus. Zeus, enraged, killed Lycaon's sons and turned Lycaon himself into a wolf. Arcas was reassembled by the power of his father, but his mother, Callisto, had been turned into a bear by Zeus' jealous wife, Hera. As Arcas was hunting, his mother recognized him and tried to speak with him. However, only growls came from her bear throat, so Arcas' dogs (now in the sky as the Cānēs Venaticī < Latin canes = dogs; venaticus -a -um = hunting, a constellation which Ptolemy did not recognize, began to chase her. Arcas pursued his mother into the temple of Zeus, but before he could kill her, Zeus transported them into the sky as the constellation Bootes, the "bear-watcher", and Ursa Major, the "big bear" (see below).
The constellation Bootes represents the hunter Arcas, son of Zeus and Callisto. At a feast, Callisto's father, King Lycaon, dismembered his grandson Arcas and served him to Zeus. Zeus, enraged, killed Lycaon's sons and turned Lycaon himself into a wolf. Arcas was reassembled by the power of his father, but his mother, Callisto, had been turned into a bear by Zeus' jealous wife, Hera. As Arcas was hunting, his mother recognized him and tried to speak with him. However, only growls came from her bear throat, so Arcas' dogs (now in the sky as the Cānēs Venaticī < Latin canes = dogs; venaticus -a -um = hunting, a constellation which Ptolemy did not recognize, began to chase her. Arcas pursued his mother into the temple of Zeus, but before he could kill her, Zeus transported them into the sky as the constellation Bootes, the "bear-watcher", and Ursa Major, the "big bear" (see below).
By the Crown and Berenīces’ Hair
The day Orion died.
Another constellation which Ptolemy did not recognize is Coma Berenīces (Latin coma = hair), the "Hair of Berenice," which represents the hair of a 3rd century B.C. Egyptian princess. She vowed to cut off her hair if her brother (and husband!) Ptolemy III returned safely from battle. He returned, she carried out her vow, and she dedicated the locks in the temple of Aphrodite. They disappeared and Egyptian astronomers said they became a new constellation near Leo.
Another story says Coma Berenīces could represent the hair of Ariadne, the Cretan princess whom Theseus abandoned on the island of Naxos on his return to Athens after killing the Minotaur. She tore her hair in anguish while watching Theseus' ships sailing away from the island. Dionysus, god of wine, saw Ariadne's grief, and beauty, and quickly proposed marriage to the maiden. The constellation Corona Borealis (Latin corona = crown; borealis = northern) represents Ariadne's magical crown, given to her by Theseus, which Dionysus tossed into the heavens on their wedding night.
Another constellation which Ptolemy did not recognize is Coma Berenīces (Latin coma = hair), the "Hair of Berenice," which represents the hair of a 3rd century B.C. Egyptian princess. She vowed to cut off her hair if her brother (and husband!) Ptolemy III returned safely from battle. He returned, she carried out her vow, and she dedicated the locks in the temple of Aphrodite. They disappeared and Egyptian astronomers said they became a new constellation near Leo.
Another story says Coma Berenīces could represent the hair of Ariadne, the Cretan princess whom Theseus abandoned on the island of Naxos on his return to Athens after killing the Minotaur. She tore her hair in anguish while watching Theseus' ships sailing away from the island. Dionysus, god of wine, saw Ariadne's grief, and beauty, and quickly proposed marriage to the maiden. The constellation Corona Borealis (Latin corona = crown; borealis = northern) represents Ariadne's magical crown, given to her by Theseus, which Dionysus tossed into the heavens on their wedding night.
I started singin’
“high, high just look up in the sky.”
See Orion mighty hunter
Look a Bull in the eye
As the Pleiades flee and the Hyades cry
Singin’, “this’ll be the day that we
die.
this’ll be the day that we die.”
Hera cursed Callisto who became the
Great Bear,
Ursa Major punished for Zeus’ affair,
She never washes in the sea.
The constellation Ursa Major (Latin ursa = bear; maior = bigger) represents Zeus' lover, Callisto. She had sworn to remain chaste and follow Artemis as a fellow hunter, but Zeus, disguised as Artemis, approached her and revealed himself to her before she could escape. She had a child by Zeus and named him Arcas. Hera was enraged by the affair and turned poor Callisto into a bear. When her son, Arcas, not recognizing his mother, was about to kill her, Zeus placed both of them in the sky as the constellations Ursa Major and Bootes. Hera was very displeased to have Callisto honored in this way, so she asked Ocean never to allow Callisto to bathe in his waters. To observers in the mid-northern latitudes and north, Callisto remains above the horizon year round.
The constellation Ursa Major (Latin ursa = bear; maior = bigger) represents Zeus' lover, Callisto. She had sworn to remain chaste and follow Artemis as a fellow hunter, but Zeus, disguised as Artemis, approached her and revealed himself to her before she could escape. She had a child by Zeus and named him Arcas. Hera was enraged by the affair and turned poor Callisto into a bear. When her son, Arcas, not recognizing his mother, was about to kill her, Zeus placed both of them in the sky as the constellations Ursa Major and Bootes. Hera was very displeased to have Callisto honored in this way, so she asked Ocean never to allow Callisto to bathe in his waters. To observers in the mid-northern latitudes and north, Callisto remains above the horizon year round.
Polaris doesn’t move in the Little
Bear’s tail,
The Guardians’ rounds, they never fail,
And Draco coils himself around the tree.
And Draco coils himself around the tree.
If a laser were pointed straight up into space from the North Pole, it would point toward the North Star, known as Polaris, or the Pole Star, the final star in the tail of Ursa Minor (Latin ursa = bear; minor = smaller). Around this star the constellation of Ursa Minor turns, and its most distant members, Kochab and Pherkad, are called the Guardians because they faithfully make their rounds circling the Pole Star. This constellation, according to some Greeks, could be Callisto's son Arcas (identified with Bootes) after being transformed into a bear (see myth above). Ursa Minor could also be the nymph Ida who raised Zeus as a child on Crete (in this case, Ursa Minor wouldn't be a bear at all). Finally, in some ancient stories this constellation represents the seven Hesperides, daughters of Atlas, who cared for Hera's golden apple tree of immortality. This story ties in nicely with the constellation coiled around Ursa Minor, that is, Draco (Latin draco = dragon), because Draco is the dragon Ladon, the guardian of the Garden of the Hesperides. Hera received the golden apple tree as a wedding gift when she married Zeus and planted it in a garden far in the north. She used the dragon Ladon to guard the apples. Hercules, for one of his labors, killed Ladon with a poison arrow and stole the golden apples from Hera's tree.
At the founding of Rome, Libra held the
moon,
Rome was established on April 21, 753 B.C., and on this date the moon rose in the constellation of Libra (Latin libra = scales or pound). The Romans thought that 'scales' (i.e. a balance in which products and money were weighed) were an appropriate sign for themselves, because Rome considered itself the 'balance' of the world.
Rome was established on April 21, 753 B.C., and on this date the moon rose in the constellation of Libra (Latin libra = scales or pound). The Romans thought that 'scales' (i.e. a balance in which products and money were weighed) were an appropriate sign for themselves, because Rome considered itself the 'balance' of the world.
While Orpheus’ Lyre kept the tune,
The constellation Lyra (Latin lyra = lyre) represents the instrument invented by the baby Hermes and given to Apollo as an apology for the cattle he had stolen from him. This same lyre was played by the most famous musician of antiquity, Orpheus, when he visited the underworld and used it to charm Charon, Cerberus, and Persephone in he quest to retrieve his wife, Eurydice.
And Hercules took a knee,
With the Dragon under his feet.
The constellation Hercules represents the Greek hero 'Heracles' (known as Alcides before being given the name 'Heracles' by the Delphic Oracle), whose 12 labors are mentioned in the poem above. He is shown kneeling with one foot on the head of the dragon Ladon (i.e. Draco). In his right hand he holds a club and in his left the apples of the Hesperides.
The constellation Hercules represents the Greek hero 'Heracles' (known as Alcides before being given the name 'Heracles' by the Delphic Oracle), whose 12 labors are mentioned in the poem above. He is shown kneeling with one foot on the head of the dragon Ladon (i.e. Draco). In his right hand he holds a club and in his left the apples of the Hesperides.
And while Ophiuchus held his snake,
The Greeks identified the constellation Ophiuchus with Asclepius, Apollo's son. Asclepius was a god of medicine who was able to bring even the dead back to life (like Glaucus, son of Minos, and Hippolytus, son of Theseus) with the use of an herb which a snake had revealed to him. Therefore, the constellation Ophiuchus holds a giant snake, Serpens (Latin serpens = snake), and hospitals today continue to use the Asclepian staff with a snake coiled around it as a symbol of the medical profession.
The Greeks identified the constellation Ophiuchus with Asclepius, Apollo's son. Asclepius was a god of medicine who was able to bring even the dead back to life (like Glaucus, son of Minos, and Hippolytus, son of Theseus) with the use of an herb which a snake had revealed to him. Therefore, the constellation Ophiuchus holds a giant snake, Serpens (Latin serpens = snake), and hospitals today continue to use the Asclepian staff with a snake coiled around it as a symbol of the medical profession.
The Scorpion’s back began to ache
And Mars called Antares a fake,
The day Orion died.
It looks like Ophiuchus is standing on the back of the constellation Scorpius (Latin scorpio = scorpion). This constellation represents the scorpion produced by Maia, the Earth, to teach Orion a lesson (Orion had boasted that he could hunt and kill any animal produced by the earth.) The scorpion killed Orion, so Zeus separated them in the sky to keep them from fighting again (Scorpio being a summer constellation and Orion being a winter constellation.)
In the constellation Scorpio there is a star which looks remarkably similar to Mars. Its name, Antares, means "Anti-Mars" (Ares = Mars) and follows an ancient convention of naming slave twins with the prefix 'Anti-'.
It looks like Ophiuchus is standing on the back of the constellation Scorpius (Latin scorpio = scorpion). This constellation represents the scorpion produced by Maia, the Earth, to teach Orion a lesson (Orion had boasted that he could hunt and kill any animal produced by the earth.) The scorpion killed Orion, so Zeus separated them in the sky to keep them from fighting again (Scorpio being a summer constellation and Orion being a winter constellation.)
In the constellation Scorpio there is a star which looks remarkably similar to Mars. Its name, Antares, means "Anti-Mars" (Ares = Mars) and follows an ancient convention of naming slave twins with the prefix 'Anti-'.
They were singing,
“high, high just look up in the sky.”
See Orion mighty hunter
Look a Bull in the eye
As the Pleiades flee and the Hyades cry
Singin’, “this’ll be the day that we
die.
this’ll be the day that we die.”
Helter skelter in a summer swelter.
Aquila snatched Ganymede to his shelter,
And united Leda with the Swan.
Aquila (Latin aquila = eagle) is one of the summer constellations. According to the Greeks, it is Zeus' bird who swept down to Troy to pick up the boy Ganymede, son of Tros, so that he could become the cup-bearer to the Olympian gods. In his role as cup-bearer, Ganymede is also presented in the sky as the constellation Aquarius.
Zeus commanded the same eagle who snatched up Ganymede to chase himself in the form of a swan (in the sky as the constellation Cygnus - Latin cygnus = swan) into the lap of Leda, the wife of Tyndareus, king of Sparta. On the same night she conceived two children by Zeus and two children by her husband. However, instead of children, she gave birth to eggs, from which arose Zeus' offspring, Pollux and Helen, and Tyndareus offspring, Castor and Clytamnestra (see the story of Gemini above).
And united Leda with the Swan.
Aquila (Latin aquila = eagle) is one of the summer constellations. According to the Greeks, it is Zeus' bird who swept down to Troy to pick up the boy Ganymede, son of Tros, so that he could become the cup-bearer to the Olympian gods. In his role as cup-bearer, Ganymede is also presented in the sky as the constellation Aquarius.
Zeus commanded the same eagle who snatched up Ganymede to chase himself in the form of a swan (in the sky as the constellation Cygnus - Latin cygnus = swan) into the lap of Leda, the wife of Tyndareus, king of Sparta. On the same night she conceived two children by Zeus and two children by her husband. However, instead of children, she gave birth to eggs, from which arose Zeus' offspring, Pollux and Helen, and Tyndareus offspring, Castor and Clytamnestra (see the story of Gemini above).
Sagitta flew from Venus’ son,
The constellation Sagitta (Latin sagitta = arrow) has multiple attributions. One source says it is Apollo's arrow with which he killed the Cyclopes as revenge against Zeus for killing Asclepius. Another source says it is Hercules' arrow, with which he killed the eagle who daily consumed the liver of Prometheus (the arrow is very near the eagle.) Yet another source says it is Cupid's arrow with which he continually inflamed Zeus' passions.
The constellation Sagitta (Latin sagitta = arrow) has multiple attributions. One source says it is Apollo's arrow with which he killed the Cyclopes as revenge against Zeus for killing Asclepius. Another source says it is Hercules' arrow, with which he killed the eagle who daily consumed the liver of Prometheus (the arrow is very near the eagle.) Yet another source says it is Cupid's arrow with which he continually inflamed Zeus' passions.
Delphīnus rescued Arion,
The constellation Delphinus represents a very helpful dolphin. One day, the ancient rock star Arion was returning to Greece from a huge concert in Sicily. On the way, the poor sailors who were transporting him planned to murder him, take his money, and throw his body overboard. However, Arion asked to play his lyre one more time before they killed him. The sailors agreed. Arion mounted the stern of the ship and played his lyre with such skill that he attracted a dolphin to the sound. Arion, leaping over the side of the ship, was rescued by the dolphin, who carried him safely to Greece.
The constellation Delphinus represents a very helpful dolphin. One day, the ancient rock star Arion was returning to Greece from a huge concert in Sicily. On the way, the poor sailors who were transporting him planned to murder him, take his money, and throw his body overboard. However, Arion asked to play his lyre one more time before they killed him. The sailors agreed. Arion mounted the stern of the ship and played his lyre with such skill that he attracted a dolphin to the sound. Arion, leaping over the side of the ship, was rescued by the dolphin, who carried him safely to Greece.
While Sagittarius watched the Southern
Crown.
The constellation Sagitarrius is certainly a bowman, but there is disagreement as to what kind of creature he really is. Frequently, he is depicted as a centaur, a race of creatures created when the mortal Ixion tried to sleep with Zeus' wife, Hera, but mated instead with a cloud made to look like Hera, and the offspring were the centaurs. Alternatively, Sagittarius may be the satyr Crotus, child of Pan, who liked to hunt on horse-back with a bow.
The Southern Crown (Corona Australis) (Latin corona = crown; auster = south) has no clear attribution, but may represent the wreath of myrtle which Dionysus left for Hades as a thank offering for the return of his mother, Semele.
The constellation Sagitarrius is certainly a bowman, but there is disagreement as to what kind of creature he really is. Frequently, he is depicted as a centaur, a race of creatures created when the mortal Ixion tried to sleep with Zeus' wife, Hera, but mated instead with a cloud made to look like Hera, and the offspring were the centaurs. Alternatively, Sagittarius may be the satyr Crotus, child of Pan, who liked to hunt on horse-back with a bow.
The Southern Crown (Corona Australis) (Latin corona = crown; auster = south) has no clear attribution, but may represent the wreath of myrtle which Dionysus left for Hades as a thank offering for the return of his mother, Semele.
Pegasus flew from the gorgon’s blood,
The constellation Pegasus represents the famed winged horse of Greek mythology. This horse arose, not by normal reproductive means, but from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa after Perseus decapitated her. The horse was tamed, not by Perseus, but by Bellerophon, who used a golden bridle given by Athena to accomplish the task. From the back of Pegasus, Bellerophon defeated the Chimera, a fire-breathing monster with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a snake. After this success, Bellerophon tried to ride Pegasus all the way to Olympus, an act of great hubris. For that act of pride, Zeus struck him with a lightning bolt and immortalized Pegasus by placing him in the sky.
Near the head of Pegasus is the constellation Equuleus (Latin equus = horse), representing only the head of a horse. This is, perhaps, Chiron's daughter Hippe (Greek hippos = horse) who, embarrassed after becoming pregnant by Deucalion's grandson, gave birth in the mountains and was transformed (by Artemis) into a mare to keep her hidden from her father.
The constellation Pegasus represents the famed winged horse of Greek mythology. This horse arose, not by normal reproductive means, but from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa after Perseus decapitated her. The horse was tamed, not by Perseus, but by Bellerophon, who used a golden bridle given by Athena to accomplish the task. From the back of Pegasus, Bellerophon defeated the Chimera, a fire-breathing monster with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a snake. After this success, Bellerophon tried to ride Pegasus all the way to Olympus, an act of great hubris. For that act of pride, Zeus struck him with a lightning bolt and immortalized Pegasus by placing him in the sky.
Near the head of Pegasus is the constellation Equuleus (Latin equus = horse), representing only the head of a horse. This is, perhaps, Chiron's daughter Hippe (Greek hippos = horse) who, embarrassed after becoming pregnant by Deucalion's grandson, gave birth in the mountains and was transformed (by Artemis) into a mare to keep her hidden from her father.
Capricorn jumped into the flood,
Pan’s cry that “Typhon had come!”
Made the gods as animals run!
During the Titanomachy, Zeus and the Olympians fought a world war against Typhon and the Titans. The goat-legged god Pan, now represented as the constellation Capricornus (Latin caper = goat; cornu = horn), provided three services to Zeus during this war. On one occasion, Pan blew so loudly on his conch shell that he sent the Titans running in pan-ic. On another occasion, he warned the gods that Typhon was near and suggested that the gods disguise themselves as sea-creatures and jump into the sea to hide. This effectively tricked the Titans (and explains why Pan has a fish body in the sky). On a third occasion, Pan and Hermes helped nurse Zeus to health after Typhon had ripped out all of his tendons. For these services, Zeus gave him an honored place in the sky.
During the Titanomachy, Zeus and the Olympians fought a world war against Typhon and the Titans. The goat-legged god Pan, now represented as the constellation Capricornus (Latin caper = goat; cornu = horn), provided three services to Zeus during this war. On one occasion, Pan blew so loudly on his conch shell that he sent the Titans running in pan-ic. On another occasion, he warned the gods that Typhon was near and suggested that the gods disguise themselves as sea-creatures and jump into the sea to hide. This effectively tricked the Titans (and explains why Pan has a fish body in the sky). On a third occasion, Pan and Hermes helped nurse Zeus to health after Typhon had ripped out all of his tendons. For these services, Zeus gave him an honored place in the sky.
Aquarius poured water from a dish
Others have identified Aquarius as Prometheus' son Deucalion, a Greek version of Noah, who survived a worldwide flood with his wife Pyrrha.
Aquarius pours his water (or nectar, as the story may go) into the mouth of the Southern Fish (Piscis Austrinus). According to one story, the fish represents a Palestinian woman named Derceto who killed her lover, Caystrus, and abandoned their daughter, Semiramis, before trying to kill herself in a lake. Instead of drowning, she was turned into a mermaid and is is seen in the sky as the Piscis Austrinus. In the fish's mouth is a very bright star called Fomalhaut (pronounced Foam-a-lot) which means "fish's mouth."
On Pīscis Austrīnus the Southern Fish.
But Fomalhaut won’t accept your wish
The day Orion died.
Aquarius (Latin aqua = water) represents a young boy pouring water from an amphora. As mentioned above, this constellation is commonly associated with Ganymede, the handsome prince of Troy whom Zeus took as cup bearer to the gods. Others have identified Aquarius as Prometheus' son Deucalion, a Greek version of Noah, who survived a worldwide flood with his wife Pyrrha.
Aquarius pours his water (or nectar, as the story may go) into the mouth of the Southern Fish (Piscis Austrinus). According to one story, the fish represents a Palestinian woman named Derceto who killed her lover, Caystrus, and abandoned their daughter, Semiramis, before trying to kill herself in a lake. Instead of drowning, she was turned into a mermaid and is is seen in the sky as the Piscis Austrinus. In the fish's mouth is a very bright star called Fomalhaut (pronounced Foam-a-lot) which means "fish's mouth."
We started singing,
“high, high just look up in the sky.”
See Orion mighty hunter
Look a Bull in the eye
As the Pleiades flee and the Hyades cry
Singin’, “this’ll be the day that we
die.
this’ll be the day that we die.”
Cassiopeia sang the blues,
Andromeda’s life she thought she’d lose
Cepheus mourned his daughter’s fate.
Perseus finally saved the day
He killed the beast he swore he’d slay,
But for the rest the hero was too late.
Overhead in the winter sky there is a large cluster of constellations all associated with the same Greek hero: Perseus. His grandfather, king Acrisius of Argos, had locked up his daughter Danae for fear of a prophecy that he would be killed one day by her son. Zeus, drawn by her beauty, as a shower of gold rained down upon her in her prison cell. She became pregnant and gave birth to Perseus.
Acrisius, still fearing the prophecy, locked his daughter and grandson in a wooden chest and set them adrift on the Aegean Sea. They landed on the island of Seriphos and there a kind fisherman named Dictys raised Perseus as his own son. Eventually Perseus had to defend his mother from the unwanted advances of the king of the island, Polydectes. Polydectes, to get rid of the meddling son, sent him on an impossible quest to bring back the head of the gorgon Medusa (who dwelt with her gorgon sisters Euryale and Stheno.)
Acrisius did not know that Perseus' father Zeus had equipped him like a superhero for his task: winged sandals from Mercury allowed him to fly like Superman, a helmet of invisibility allowed him to approach his enemies unseen, a diamond sword from Hephaestus allowed him to cut through anything as with a light-saber, and an impenetrable shield protected him like Captain America. With these tools, he killed Medusa with ease (from her blood sprang the winged horse, Pegasus, and the warrior, Chrysaor - see above) and returned to Argos.
On the way, he looked down from the sky and saw the princess Andromeda chained to a rock as a sacrifice to the sea-monster Cetus (Latin cetus = whale > cetacean). Her mother, Cassiopeia, and father, Cepheus, had been forced to sacrifice her or face the destruction of their Ethiopian kingdom at Poseidon's hands (Cassiopeia was being punished for vainly boasting that she was more beautiful than the nymphs of the sea.) To save Andromeda, Perseus swarmed down upon the beast like a swarm of bees, stabbing the monster thousands of times with his curved blade. Her thankful parents were happy to have a hero like Perseus as a son-in-law, so Perseus and Andromeda got married, had six children, and lived happily ever after.
Overhead in the winter sky there is a large cluster of constellations all associated with the same Greek hero: Perseus. His grandfather, king Acrisius of Argos, had locked up his daughter Danae for fear of a prophecy that he would be killed one day by her son. Zeus, drawn by her beauty, as a shower of gold rained down upon her in her prison cell. She became pregnant and gave birth to Perseus.
Acrisius, still fearing the prophecy, locked his daughter and grandson in a wooden chest and set them adrift on the Aegean Sea. They landed on the island of Seriphos and there a kind fisherman named Dictys raised Perseus as his own son. Eventually Perseus had to defend his mother from the unwanted advances of the king of the island, Polydectes. Polydectes, to get rid of the meddling son, sent him on an impossible quest to bring back the head of the gorgon Medusa (who dwelt with her gorgon sisters Euryale and Stheno.)
Acrisius did not know that Perseus' father Zeus had equipped him like a superhero for his task: winged sandals from Mercury allowed him to fly like Superman, a helmet of invisibility allowed him to approach his enemies unseen, a diamond sword from Hephaestus allowed him to cut through anything as with a light-saber, and an impenetrable shield protected him like Captain America. With these tools, he killed Medusa with ease (from her blood sprang the winged horse, Pegasus, and the warrior, Chrysaor - see above) and returned to Argos.
On the way, he looked down from the sky and saw the princess Andromeda chained to a rock as a sacrifice to the sea-monster Cetus (Latin cetus = whale > cetacean). Her mother, Cassiopeia, and father, Cepheus, had been forced to sacrifice her or face the destruction of their Ethiopian kingdom at Poseidon's hands (Cassiopeia was being punished for vainly boasting that she was more beautiful than the nymphs of the sea.) To save Andromeda, Perseus swarmed down upon the beast like a swarm of bees, stabbing the monster thousands of times with his curved blade. Her thankful parents were happy to have a hero like Perseus as a son-in-law, so Perseus and Andromeda got married, had six children, and lived happily ever after.
And in the sky the heavens screamed
The gazers cried and the poets dreamed
Eridānus frozen
The ancient tales were broken.
The Golden Ram was sacrificed
The constellation Aries (Latin aries = ram) represents the ram which produced the golden fleece sought by Jason and the Argonauts in their famous quest. Originally, this magical, flying ram was sent to rescue two children, Phrixus and Helle, who were being tormented by their wicked stepmother, Ino. This ram flew the brother and sister them from their home in Boeotia to the city of Colchis on the Black Sea. On the way, when flying over the waterway connecting the Aegean and Black Sea, Phrixus saw his sister Helle lose her grip and fall into the water below, which the Greeks called the Helle-spont in her honor. Once in Colchis, Phrixus sacrificed the ram to Zeus and offered the magical fleece to the king of the land, Aeetes.
Back in Iolcus, Phrixus' cousin, Pelias, had stolen the throne from its rightful heir, Jason. To get the heir out of the way, Pelias sent him on a quest to bring back the golden fleece from Colchis. For the journey Jason recruited a who's-who crew (including Hercules himself) for his ship, the Argo, and they successfully made the voyage across the Black Sea where the king's daughter, Medea, fell in love with Jason and helped him obtain the fleece.
Above the ram is the isosceles triangle known as Triangulum. There are no myths associated with the triangle, but some ancient astronomers associated it with Sicily (known as Thrinacia because it had three sides and resembled a triangle.)
The constellation Aries (Latin aries = ram) represents the ram which produced the golden fleece sought by Jason and the Argonauts in their famous quest. Originally, this magical, flying ram was sent to rescue two children, Phrixus and Helle, who were being tormented by their wicked stepmother, Ino. This ram flew the brother and sister them from their home in Boeotia to the city of Colchis on the Black Sea. On the way, when flying over the waterway connecting the Aegean and Black Sea, Phrixus saw his sister Helle lose her grip and fall into the water below, which the Greeks called the Helle-spont in her honor. Once in Colchis, Phrixus sacrificed the ram to Zeus and offered the magical fleece to the king of the land, Aeetes.
Back in Iolcus, Phrixus' cousin, Pelias, had stolen the throne from its rightful heir, Jason. To get the heir out of the way, Pelias sent him on a quest to bring back the golden fleece from Colchis. For the journey Jason recruited a who's-who crew (including Hercules himself) for his ship, the Argo, and they successfully made the voyage across the Black Sea where the king's daughter, Medea, fell in love with Jason and helped him obtain the fleece.
Above the ram is the isosceles triangle known as Triangulum. There are no myths associated with the triangle, but some ancient astronomers associated it with Sicily (known as Thrinacia because it had three sides and resembled a triangle.)
The Fish in mourning circled twice
After the Titanomachy when Typhon was attacking the gods and Pan had transformed the lower part of his body into a fish (see 'Capricornus' above), Aphrodite and her son Eros also transformed themselves into fish (or were carried to safety by two fish.) Those fish are represented by the constellation Pisces (Latin piscis = fish).
After the Titanomachy when Typhon was attacking the gods and Pan had transformed the lower part of his body into a fish (see 'Capricornus' above), Aphrodite and her son Eros also transformed themselves into fish (or were carried to safety by two fish.) Those fish are represented by the constellation Pisces (Latin piscis = fish).
And giant Cetus froze like ice
The day Orion died.
Chorus
PLANETS & MOONS
PLANETS & MOONS
Mercury (Hermes)
Venus (Aphrodite)
Terra (Gaia)
Luna
Mars (Ares)
Phobos, Deimos
Dwarf Ceres (Demeter)
Jupiter (Zeus)
Ganymede, Callisto, Io, Europa, Himalia, Amalthea, Thebe, Elara, Metis, Pasiphae, Carme, Sinope, Lysithea, Ananke, Leda, Themisto, Callirrhoe, Praxidike, Megaclite, Locaste, Taygete, Kalyke, Autonoe...
Saturn (Kronos)
Titan, Rhea, Iapetus, Dione, Tethys, Enceladus, Mimas, Hyperion, Phoebe, Janus, Epimetheus, Prometheus, Pandora, Siarnaq, Helene, Albiorix, Atlas, Pan, Telesto, Palliaq, Calypso
Uranus (Ouranos)
Titania, Oberon, Umbriel, Ariel, Miranda, Sycorax, Puck, Portia, Juliet, Caliban, Belinda, Cressida, Rosalind, Desdemona, Bianca, Ophelia, Cordelia, Perdita, Prospero, Setebos, Mab, Stephano, Cupid, Francisco, Ferdinand, Margeret, Trinculo
Neptune (Poseidon)
Triton, Proteus, Nereid, Larissa, Galatea, Despina, Thalassa, Naiad, Halimede, Neso, Sao, Laomedeia, Psamathe
Dwarf Pluto (Hades)
Charon, Hydra, Nix, Kerberos, Styx
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