Cam in Brunacci (1687).

2025-10-17T05:14:30Z

Dorvic: /* Jacob Bartsch (1600-1632) */

[[File:Camelopardalis IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Cam star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]].

==Etymology and History==
The Greek constellation ...

=== Origin of Constellation ===

===== Petrus Plancius (...) =====
[to be written]

===== Jacob Bartsch (1600-1632) =====
In 1624, Bartsch published ''Usus astronomicus planisphaerii stellati'', a book of star charts that included several new constellations first proposed around 1613 by the Dutch cartographer Petrus Plancius. Among these was '''Camelopardalis''', the constellation representing a giraffe, which Bartsch depicted on his charts based on Plancius’s celestial globe created by Pieter van den Keere.
[[File:Camelopardalis.png|thumb]]

[[File:Campelopardalis in Bartsch's Usus astronomicus.png|thumb]]
His description of the constellation in ''Usus astronomicus planisphaerii stellati'' reads: <blockquote>V. CAMELOPARDALIS, ''Καμηλοπάρδαλις'', Ital. ''Giraffa, Greyff'', animal cameli proceritate, pantherae colore, bovis pedibus: ex informibus circa polum arcticum, iis stellulis Cassiopeiae & Aurigam, recentioribus sic formatur. ''Mihi sit Camelus Rebeccae, quo cum Abrahami servo ad Isacum profecta.'' Gen. 24. v. 61 & 65.

'''Camelopardalis''', ''Καμηλοπάρδαλις'', in Italian ''Giraffa'', the giraffe. An animal the height of a camel, the colour of a panther, and the feet of an ox. It is formed from faint stars near the Arctic Pole, between Cassiopeia and Auriga, as established by more recent astronomers. ''Let it be to me the camel of Rebecca, with which she journeyed with Abraham’s servant to Isaac.'' (Genesis 24:61, 65)</blockquote>

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===

== Mythology ==

== Weblinks ==

*

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:European]][[Category:4work]]

File:Camelopardalis.png

Dorvic:

Germany on the globe, centered on the European Union.

Christianized (All Terms)

2025-09-15T14:05:02Z

Dorvic:

[[File:Europe orthographic Caucasus Urals boundary (with borders).svg|thumb|The culture of Christianization of the sky was an early modern attempt to unite European thinkers across the boundaries of a multitude of Christian confessions.]]

== Name Lists ==

===Solar System Names===
{| class="wikitable"
!Traditional Terms
!English
!commentary
|-
|
|Sun
|
|-
|
|Moon
|
|-
|
|Mercury
|
|-
|
|Venus
|
|-
|
|Mars
|
|-
|
|Jupiter
|
|-
|
|Saturn
|
|}
===Here is an overview on all Christianized constellation names===

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!native letters
! scope="col" style="width: 20%;" |IAU
!scope="col" style="width: 26%;"|Christianised term
!Author
!scope="col" style="width: 54%;" |Our notes
|-
|1
|Ursa Minor
|Archangel Michael
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|2
|Ursa Major
|Ship of Saint Peter
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|3
|Draco
|Innocent Children
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|4
|Cepheus
|Saint Stephanus
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|5
|Bootes
|Pope Sylvester I
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|6
|Coma Berenices
|The flagellum of Christ
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|7
|Corona Borealis
|The crown of thorns
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|8
|Hercules
|The three Wise Men
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|9
|Lyra
|The Christmas crib
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|10
|Cygnus
|Saint Helena
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|11
|Cassiopeia
|Mary Magdalene
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|12
|Perseus
|Saint Paul
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|13
|Auriga
|Saint Jerome
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|14
|Ophiuchus
|Saint Benedict
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|15
|Serpens
|The burning bush
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|16
|Aquila
|Saint Catherine
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|17
|Sagitta
|The Holy Lance
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|18
|Delphinus
|Watercup of the wedding at Cana
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|19
|Equuleus
|Rosa mystica
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|20
|Pegasus
|Archangel Gabriel
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|21
|Andromeda
|The Holy Grave
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|22
|Triangulum
|The Tiara Petri
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|23
|Cetus
|Saint Anna and Saint Joachim
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|24
|Orion
|Saint Joseph
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|25
|Aries
|Simon Petrus
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|26
|Taurus
|Andrew the Apostle
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|27
|Gemini
|James the Apostle
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|28
|Cancer
|John the Apostle
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|29
|Leo
|Thomas the Apostle
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|30
|Virgo
|James, son of Alphaus
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|31
|Libra
|Philip
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|32
|Scorpio
|Bartholomew
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|33
|Sagittarius
|Matthew
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|34
|Capricorn
|Simon the Zealot
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|35
|Aquarius
|Judas Thaddaeus
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|36
|Pisces
|Matthias
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|37
|Eridanus
|The Red Sea
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|38
|Lepus
|Gideon
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|39
|Columba
|The dove of Noah
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|40
|Canis Major
|King David
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|41
|Canis Minor
|The Lamb of God
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|42
|Argo
|Noah's Ark
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|43
|Hydra
|The River Jordan
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|44
|Crater and Corvus
|The Ark of the Covenant
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|45
|Centaurus
|Abraham and Isaac
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|46
|Lupus
|Jacob
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|47
|Ara
|Showbread table
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|48
|Corona Australis
|The crown of Salomo
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|49
|Piscis Austrinus
|
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|50
|Grus and Phoenix
|Highpriest Aaron
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|51
|Pavo and Indus
|Job
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|52
|Musca
|Eve
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|53
|Triangulum Australe
|The tau cross
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|54
|Piscis Volans and Dorado
|Abel
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|55
|Tucan and Hydrus
|Archangel Raphael
|Julius Schiller
|
|-
|}

== Acknowledgements ==

== References ==

Christianized (All Terms)

2025-09-15T13:52:05Z

Dorvic:

Triangulum

2025-06-12T04:38:21Z

Dorvic: /* Aratus */

[[File:Triangulum IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Tri star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
[[File:Tri kugel.jpg|alt=drawing of the constellation |thumb|Constellation Trianugulum on the 10 cm silver globe from the Kugel collection (Paris), dating 1st century BCE.]]
[[File:Kugel Globe Tri.JPG|thumb|Earliest known depiction of Triangulum on the Kugel Globe (first century BCE), drawing by SMH 2025.<ref>Hoffmann (2025), Some Results on the Ancient Globes, Globe Studies – The Journal of the International Coronelli Society, 69, 4169.</ref> ]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. In Greek antiquity, it was called either '''Trigonon''' (triangle), or alternatively '''Deltoton''' (the letter Delta: Δ). The alternative name incorporates the religious connection for the ancients, but the constellation is missing from the Farnese Globe and the Mainz Globe.

==Etymology and History==
=== Origin of Constellation ===
The triangle constellation is ancient Greek. It did not exist in Mesopotamia; the stars probably belonged to the Babylonian constellation of the Hired Man, mul lu2[[ḪUN.GA2|ḪUN.GA2]] ([[Aries]]). Although it was consistently present as a separate constellation in Greece, the authors disagree about its meaning. Aratos calls it ‘the sign’; the mathematical astronomers call it ‘triangle’. Accordingly, Eratosthenes notes that some interpret it as the initial letter of the word ‘Dios’, i.e., as the Greek capital letter Δ (Delta). Dios is the genitive of the name of Zeus. The astronomer reports that when Hermes arranged the constellations in the sky, he inserted ‘of Zeus’ as a possessive inscription - i.e. ‘constellations of Zeus’, the highest god.

Alternatively, Eratosthenes, the librarian of Alexandria and teacher of the princes of Egypt, reported that the constellation was the Nile Delta. He says that the Nile created a triangular outline of Egypt. The constellation, therefore, symbolises the land that the Nile shapes.

The constellation is missing on the globe of the Atlas Farnese, but it is mentioned in all star catalogues: by Eudoxos, Hipparchus, Eratosthenes and Ptolemy. So, it was probably only omitted because it was too delicate or too tiny for the stonemason to fit between the ram and the princess. Interestingly, according to the Almagest, the triangle consists of four stars, with the fourth star located on one of the connecting lines. In contrast to the (equilateral) southern triangle, this classic triangle is very small and pointed: the fourth star, therefore, does not have to mark the baseline but is located on the smallest of the three edges.

In modern times, the constellation is called ‘the triangle’ by Johann E. Bode, for example. Whether he is referring to the small musical instrument remains a mystery, as the shape of the constellation is not changed. Mathematically, it makes no difference whether this geometry is called ‘three angles’ or ‘three corners’, so that the words "tri-angel" and "drei-eck(en)" are equivalent.

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>There is yet another constellation formed near by beneath Andromeda: [235] the Triangle is measured out on three sides, recognisably isosceles; the third side is shorter, but it is very easy to find, for it is well starred compared to the other two. Its stars are a little to the south of those of the Ram. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>[[File:Tri Duerer.JPG|thumb|Triangulum in Dürer (1515) named "Deltoton".]]

===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote>'''Var. 1 (περὶ τοῦ Δελτωτοῦ):''' This is the constellation above the head of Aries, and it is said that it is to compensate for its lack of brilliance is an easily recognisable letter, taken from the initial of the name of Zeus, and placed there by Hermes who organised the entire arrangement of the constellations. In fact, some say that Egypt derives its triangular shape from the triangle of the constellation, and that the Nile shape it has given to the contours of the country, not only guarantees its security, but also makes it easier to sow and provide a favourable climate for harvesting the fruits of the earth.

The Triangle has three stars, one on each of its angles, all three shining brightly.

'''Var. 2 (Δελτωτοῦ):''' This is the constellation above the head of Aries; it is said that the latter is quite dull, and that an easily recognisable letter is located above him, taken from the initial of the name of Zeus, and placed by Hermes who organised arrangement of the constellations. Some say that Egypt derives its triangular shape from the triangle of the constellation, and that the Nile, by this very shape it has given to the contours of the country, not only guarantees its security, but also makes it easier to sow easier and provide a favourable climate for harvesting the fruits of the earth.

The Triangle has three bright stars, one on each angle. (Pamias and Zucker 2013)</blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====

* not in Hipparchus's lists of rising and setting constellations

* but γ Tri is mentioned as simultaneous culmination with the setting of Aquila, The Eagle

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>This constellation, which has three angles like the Greek letter Delta, is so named for that reason. Mercury is thought to have placed it above the head of Aries, so that the dimness of Aries might be marked by its brightness, wherever it should be, and that it should form the first letter in the name of Jove (in Greek, Dis). Some have said that it pictures the position of Egypt; others, that of Aethiopa and Egypt where the Nile marks their boundaries. Still others think that Sicily is pictured there. Others, say that three angles were put there because the gods divided the universe into three parts. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Τρίγωνον ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Τριγώνου ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of Triangulum
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐν τῇ κορουφῇ τοῦ Τριγώνου
|The star in the apex of the triangle
|α Tri
|-
|2
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς βάσεως 7 ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The most advanced of the 3 on the basic
|β Tri
|-
|3
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν.
|The middle one of these
|δ Tri
|-
|4
|ὁ ἑπόμενος τῶν τριῶν
|The rearmost of the three
|γ Tri
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες δ', ὥν γ’ μεγέθους γ', δ’ ἄ.
|4 stars, 3 of the third magnitude, 1 of the fourth
|
|}

=== Arabic Culture ===

According to Laffitte (2025), there are two star names in the Arabic version of the Greek triangle. One is derived from the translation of the Greek term for "Triangle", the other is of unknown origin:<ref>Roland LAFFITTE (2025). Nommer les étoiles. 500 noms hérités des Arabes. Apport de l'uranographie arabe. Lyon: Orient-des-Mots </ref> <blockquote>The Arabs of the classical period borrowed from the Greeks the figure of ''Δελτωτόν / Deltaton'', the ‘Triangle’ introduced by Eudoxus, under the name ''al-Mutallat'', with the same meaning (Ar. ''al-Muṯallaṯ'', al-Ḥağğāğ & Isḥāq. Lat. ''Triangulum'', Gerard of Cremona.), whereas the ancient Arabs considered only the pair called ''al-Anīsān'', ‘the Two Companions,’ (Ar.: ''al-Anīsān'', Ibn Qutayba, al-Ṣūfī > ''“al-anîsaïn”'' (ind. case) Schjellerup; ''al-Šimālī min al-Anisayn'', al-Marrākuši > “the second of the ''Anisaïne''”, J. J. Sédillot) in this region of the celestial vault ''βγ Tri'', which became ''al-Ubaysān'', ‘the 2 Arms [of''al-Ḥamal'']’, in some manuscripts by al-Ṣūfī.

'''''Mothallah''''' ''(α Tri: 3.4) /'' '''رأس]''' '''المثلّث''']

Borrowed at the beginning of the 19th century and validated by the IAU, this is a truncation of ''Ra's al-Muṯallaṯ'', ‘the Summit of the Triangle’, in the Greco-Arabic sky and marked on the astrolabe in classical times; Ar. : al-Ḥağğāğ, al-Ṣūfī, then Uluġ Bēg and Al-Tīzīnī. Lat. “''Râs AlMothállath”'', Hyde, then ''“râs el-motsallats”'', Lach > ''Râs el-motsallats'', Bode, and ''Mothallah'', Piazzi, abs. in Francœur. ''Ras Al Mothallah'', Benhamouda. Var.: not. ''Mothallah'', ''Metallah'' and ''Elmuthalleh'', ''Rassalmotthallah'', Allen, not forgetting ''Caput Trianguli'' and ''Tête du Triangle'', which are calques of the Arabic name, then Nit. 01. After Allen, ''Mothallah'', Hoffleit, ''Simbad'', UAI. ''Caput Trianguli'', Rhoads.

'''''Mizan''''' ''[Trianguli] (β Tri: 3.4) /'' '''الميزان'''

Recently introduced, this is the Arabic ''al-Mīzān'', ‘the Balance’, of unknown origin.

Ar. ''al-Mīzān'', ‘the Balance’. Allen gives ''“Al Mīzān”'' c/ the Arabs, but does not indicate any source. After him, ''Al Mizan'', Rumrill p/ ''αβ Tri'', and ''Mizan'' p/ ''β Tri'', Rhoads.</blockquote>

=== Medieval and Early Modern Variants ===
[[File:Tri Plancius16112.JPG|thumb|Triangulum in Plancius (1612).]]

==== Instrument (Triquetrum) ====
Plancius on his 1612 globe preserves a name variant for Triangulum:

* Triquetrum.

This is a an ancient instrument for astrometrical measurements.

The brightest star he names '''Almutaleth''' which is a derivative of Arabic "Mothallah", The Triangle, adopted for α Trianguli because the phrase the descibes it in the Almagest ends with the word Τριγώνου "triangle".

==== Many Triangles ====
[[File:Triangulum+Fly+Aries Hevelius1690.jpg|thumb|Trianguli in Hevelius (1690).]]
Hevelius (1690) created a second triangle from fainter stars which was taken up by several authors.

Ian Ridpath writes:<ref>Ian Ridpath, Star Tales (Online Edition). [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/triangulumminus.html Triangulum Minus.]</ref> <blockquote>One of the least imaginative constellations, Triangulum Minus was invented in 1687 by Johannes Hevelius and first depicted on his star atlas, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, published posthumously in 1690. It was formed from three 5th-magnitude stars first catalogued by Hevelius himself. Triangulum Minus lay just south of the existing celestial triangle, Triangulum, which Hevelius renamed Triangulum Majus.</blockquote><blockquote>The little triangle achieved surprisingly wide acceptance among astronomers, including Johann Bode who showed it on his Uranographia in 1801. On some charts the pair were jointly named Triangula. Ultimately, though, the little triangle was deemed superfluous to requirements when the constellations came to be rationalized. Its stars were transferred to Triangulum proper where they are now known as 6, 10, and 12 Trianguli.</blockquote>.

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
<gallery>
File:Perseus et Triangulum - Mercator.jpeg|Perseus et Triangulum - Mercator 1551
File:Tri Plancius16112.JPG|Triangulum in Plancius (1612).
File:Johannes Hevelius - Triangulum Majus, Triangulum Minus & Musca (also shows Aries, Andromeda, Piscis Boreus and Perseus).jpg|Johannes Hevelius - Triangulum Majus, Triangulum Minus & Musca (also shows Aries, Andromeda, Piscis Boreus and Perseus)
File:Aries and Fleur-de-lis (Ignace Gaston Pardies-Plate 2).jpg|Aries and Fleur-de-lis (Ignace Gaston Pardies-Plate 2)
File:MITRAE PONTIFICALIS S PETRI.jpg
File:Ari-Tri etc Capture Tri-hi.JPG|Triangulum in Young (1807): A Course of Lectures on Natural Philosophy and the Mechanical Arts.
File:Lilium, Triangulum - Corbinian Thomas.jpg|Lilium, Triangulum - Corbinian Thomas
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Gloria Frederici, Andromeda, and Triangula.jpg|Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Gloria Frederici, Andromeda, and Triangula
</gallery>

== Mythology ==
Even Eratosthenes does not narrate any story or mythology.

== IAU WGSN naming ==

# The main star, α Trianguli (3.42 mag), got a name in the earlies cycle of WGSN in 2016: The name "[[Mothallah]]" derives the term for "triangle" (al-muthallath) in Arabic and is, therefore, documented in Kunitzsch and Smart (2006).
# It is proposed to name the brightest star, β Tri (3.00 mag), with the less known original Ancient Greek term "Deltoton".
# "Triminus" from Triangulum Minus (three stars, now known as 6, 10, and 12 Trianguli) was also proposed.

== Weblinks ==

*

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:European]][[Category:Tri]]

Taurus

2025-06-12T04:04:33Z

Dorvic: /* Geminos */

[[File:Taurus (tau).tif|alt=sstar chart of Taurus|thumb|Taurus, The Bull, modern definition. credit: IAU and Sky & Telescope]]
One of the 88 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Astronomical_Union IAU] constellations. For the star cluster-asterisms of the [[Pleiades]] and the [[Hyades]] see separate entry.

==Etymology and History==
The shape of a bull is quite easily recognisable in the sky in this asterism. Two open star clusters stand out prominently: the Hyades and the Pleiades. They are sometimes seen as the pillars of a gate through which the sun, moon and planets pass. By adding further stars, they become the figure of half a bull. Greek mythology explains the absence of the back of the bull by the fact that it is swimming.

In reality, of course, the zodiacal constellation - like all the others - is taken from Mesopotamia.
[[File:Kugel aur+tau.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe: Auriga and Taurus (drawing by SMH 2024)<ref>Hoffmann (2025), Some Results on the Ancient Globes, Globe Studies – The Journal of the International Coronelli Society, 69, 4169.</ref>]]

=== Origin of Constellation ===
Originally, the celestial bull is part of the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh was king of Sumer, the southern part of Mesopotamia, in the 3rd millennium. It is unclear how long this king actually lived and ruled, but he is documented in a list of kings. Perhaps several kings (of the same name) are mixed up there. The figure of Gilgamesh in literature symbolises a number of cultural upheavals or as a founder of culture.

The most important city in Sumer was Uruk, whose city goddess is Inanna/Ishtar. After Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu had already performed other heroic deeds, they fight together in Uruk against the celestial bull sent by Ishtar: the bull belonged to Ishtar's father, the sky god Anu, and was therefore a deity or mythical creature. The heroes succeed in defeating the beast when Enkidu grabs the bull from behind and Gilgamesh grabs it from the front. This explains the bisected constellation.

Some researchers see the Mesopotamian constellations Hired Man (today: Aries) and True Shepherd of the Heavens (today: Orion) as a representation of this bullfight between Enkidu (Hired Man on the invisible hindquarters of the bull) and Gilgamesh. The figure of Orion stretches out one hand towards the bull's head and, according to the Almagest, swings a club with the other as if to hit the bull between the horns - as reported in the Epic of Gilgamesh (tablet 6). In addition, the shepherd figure (for humans) is a metaphor for rulers, which can be traced back to Sumerian times for kings and lives on today in the symbolism of Christian bishops. However, the divine shepherd is typically Dumuzi, Ishtar's husband, assigned to the labourer's constellation. The connection between the constellations Ori-Tau-Ari is therefore very speculative without written evidence. Writing as a cultural technique had only just been invented at this time. Only a few commercial documents and no astronomical texts have survived from the 3rd millennium.

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>Near the feet o f the Charioteer look for the horned Bull crouching. This constellation is very recognisable, so clearly defined is its head: one needs no other sign to identify the ox’s head, so well do the stars themselves model both sides of it as they go round. Their name is also very popular: the Hyades are not just nameless. They are set out all along the Bull’s face; the point of its left horn and the right foot o f the adjacent Charioteer are occupied by a single star, and they are pinned together as they go. But the Bull is always ahead o f the Charioteer in sinking to the horizon, though it rises simultaneously. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>The Bull was placed among the stars because it carried Europa safely to Crete, as Euripides says. Some say that when Io was transformed into a heifer, Jupiter, to seem to make amends, put an image among the constellations which resembled a bull in its fore parts, but was dim behind. It faces towards the East, and the stars which outline the face are called Hyades. These, Pherecydes the Athenian says, are the nurses of Liber, seven in number, who earlier were nymphae called Dodonidae. Their names are as follows: Ambrosia, Eudora, Pedile, Coronis, Polyxo, Phyto, and Thyone. They are said to have been put to flight by Lycurgus and all except Ambrosia took refuge with Thetis, as Asclepiades says. But according to Pherecydes, they brought Liber to Thebes and delivered him to Ino, and for this reason Jove expressed his thanks to them by putting them among the constellations.

The Pleiades were so named, according to Musaeaus, because fifteen daughters were born to Atlas and Aethra, daughter of Ocean. Five of them are called Hyades, he shows, because their brother was Hyas, a youth dearly beloved by his sisters. When he was killed in a lion hunt, the five we have mentioned, given over to continual lamentation, are said to have perished. Because they grieved exceedingly at his death, they are called Hyades. The remaining ten brooded over the death of their sisters, and brought death on themselves; because so may experienced the same grief, they were called Pleiades. Alexander says they were called Hyades because they were daughters of Hyas and Boeotia, Pleiades, because born of Pleio, daughter of Ocean, and Atlas.

The Pleiades are called seven in number, but only six can be seen. This reason has been advanced, that of the seven, six mated with immortals (three with Jove, two with Neptune, and one with Mars); the seventh was said to have been the wife of Sisyphus. From Electra and Jove, Dardanus was born; from Maia and Jove, Mercury; from Taygete and Jove, Lacedaemon; from Alcyone and Neptune, Hyrieus; from Celaeno and Neptune, Lycus and Nycteus. Mars by Sterope begat Oinomaus, but others call her the wife of Oinomaus. Merope, wed to Sisyphus, bore Glaucus, who, as many say, was the father of Bellerophon. On account of her other sisters she was placed among the constellations, but because she married a mortal, her star is dim. Others say Electra does not appear because the Pleiades are thought to lead the circling dance for the stars, but after Troy was captured and her descendants through Dardanus overthrown, moved by grief she left them and took her place in the circle called Arctic. From this she appears, in grief for such a long time, with her hair unbound, that, because of this, she is called a comet.

But ancient astronomers placed these Pleiades, daughters of Pleione and Atlas, as we have said, apart from the Bull. When Pleione once was travelling through Boeotia with her daughters, Orion, who was accompanying her, tried to attack her. She escaped, but Orion sought her for seven years and couldn't find her. Jove, pitying the girls, appointed a way to the stars, and later, by some astronomers, they were called the Bull's tail. And so up to this time Orion seems to be following them as they flee towards the west. Our writers call these stars Vergiliae, because they rise after spring. They have still greater honour than the others, too, because their rising is a sign of summer, their setting of winter — a thing is not true of the other constellations. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

==== Almagest Ταῦρος ====
{| class="wikitable"
! id
! Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
! English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ταύρου ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of Taurus
!
|-
|1
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἀποτομῇ δ’ ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the 4 stars in the cut-off
|5 Tau
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐχόμενος αὐτοῦ.
|The one close by this
|4 Tau
|-
|3
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου ἐχόμενος.
|The one close again to the latter
|xi Tau
|-
|4
|ὁ νοτιώτατος τῶν δ
|The southernmost of the 4
|omi Tau
|-
|5
|ὁ τούτοις ἐπόμενος ἐπὶ τῆς δεξιᾶς ὡμοπλάτης
|The one to the rear of these, on the right shoulder-blade
|30 Tau
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐε τῷ στήθει
|The star in the ehest
|lam Tau
|-
|7
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόρατος
|The star on the right knee
|mu Tau
|-
|8
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ σφυροῦ
|The star on the right hock
|nu Tau
|-
|9
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόνατος
|The star an the left knee
|90 Tau
|-
|10
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ πήχεως
|The star on the left lower leg
|88 Tau
|-
|11
|τῶν ἐν τῷ προσώπῳ καλουμένων Τάδων ὁ ἐπὶ τῶν μυκτήρων
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the one on the nostrils
|gam Tau
|-
|12
|ὁ μεταξὺ τούτου καὶ τοῦ βορεύου ὀφθαλμοῦ
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the one between this and the northern eye
|del1 Tau
|-
|13
|ὁ μεταξὺ αὐτοῦ καὶ τοῦ φοτύου ὀφδαλμοῦ
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the one between it [ no. 11] and the southern eye
|tet1 Tau
|-
|14
|ὁ λαμπρὸς τῶν Ῥάδων ἐπὶ τοῦ νοτίου ὀφθαλμοῦ ὑπόκιρρος
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the bright star ofthe Hyades, the reddishone on the southern eye
|alf Tau
|-
|15
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ βορεύου ὀφθαλμοῦ
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the remaining one, on the nordlern eye
|eps Tau
|-
|16
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐκφύσεως τοῦ νοτίου κέρατος καὶ τοῦ ὠτίου
|The star on the place where the southern horn and the ear join [the head]
|97 Tau
|-
|17
|ὁ τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ φοτίου κέρατος β ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The southernmost of the 2 stars on the southern horn
|104 Tau
|-
|18
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν
|The northernmost of these
|106 Tau
|-
|19
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ νοτίου κέρατος
|The star on the tip of the southern horn
|zet Tau
|-
|20
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐκφύσεως τοῦ βορείου κέρατος.
|The star on the place where the northern horn joins [ the head]
|tau Tau
|-
|21
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ βορείου κέρατος ὁ αὐτὸς τῷ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ποδὸς τοῦ Ἡνιόχου.
|The star on the tip of the northern horn, which is the same as the one on right foot of [[Auriga]]
|bet Tau
|-
|22
|τῶν ἐν τῷ βορείῳ ὠτίῳ β σύνεγγυς ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars close tagether in the northern ear
|ups Tau
|-
|23
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|kap Tau
|-
|24
|τῶν ἐν τῷ τραχήλῳ β μικρῶν ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 small stars in the neck
|37 Tau
|-
|25
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|omega Tau
|-
|26
|τοῦ ἐν τῷ αὐχένι τετραπλεύρου τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The quadrilateral in the neck: the southernmost star on the advance side
|44 Tau
|-
|27
|ὁ βορειότερος τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The quadrilateral in the neck: the northernmost star on the advance side
|psi Tau
|-
|28
|τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The quadrilateral in the neck: the southernmost star on the rear side
|chi Tau
|-
|29
|ὁ βορειότερος τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς.
|The quadrilateral in the neck: the northernmost one on the rear side
|phi Tau
|-
|30
|τῆς Πλειάδος τὸ βόρειου πέρας τῆς ἠγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The Pleiades: the northern end of the advance side
|19 Tau
|-
|31
|τὸ νότιον πέρας τῆς ἠγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The Pleiades: the southern end of the advance side
|23 Tau
|-
|32
|τὸ ἐπόμενου καὶ στεηότατον πέρας τῆς Πλειάδος.
|The Pleiades: the rearmost and narrowest end of the Pleiades
|27 Tau
|-
|33
|ὁ ἔκτος καὶ μικρὸς τῆς Πλειάδος ἀπ’ ἄρκτων
|The Pleiades: the small star outside the Pleiades, towards the north
|HR 1188
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες λβ, ὥν αἱ μεγέθουςα, γ’ς, δ’ ἴἄ, ε φ, ς’ α.
|32 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, 6 of the third, 11 of the fourth, 13 of the ftfth, 1 of the sixth
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν Ταῦρον ἀμόρφωτου.
!Stars araund Taurus outside the constellation:
!
|-
|34
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὸν δεξιὸν πόδα καὶ τὴν ὡμοπλάτην.
|The star under the right foot and the shoulder-blade
|10 Tau
|-
|35
|τῶν ὑπὲρ τὸ νότιον κέρας γ’ ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The most advanced of the 3 stars over the southern horn
|iot Tau
|-
|36
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν.
|The middle one of the three
|109 Tau
|-
|37
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The rearmost of them
|114 Tau
|-
|38
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὸ ἄκρου τοῦ νοτίου κέρατος β’ ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the 2 stars under the tip of the southern horn
|126 Tau
|-
|39
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|129 Tau
|-
|40
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὸ βόρειον κέρας ἓ ἐπομένων ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The 5 Stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the most advanced
|121 Tau
|-
|41
|ὁ τούτῳ ἑπόμενος.
|The 5 Stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the one to the rcar of thi's
|125 Tau
|-
|42
|ὁ ἔτι τούτῳ ἐπόμενος.
|The 5 Stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the one to the rear again of the latter
|132 Tau
|-
|43
|τῶν λοιπῶν καὶ ἐπομένωυ β ὁ βορειότερος.
|The 5 Stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the northernmost of the remaining, rearmost 2
|136 Tau
|-
|44
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The 5 Stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the southernmost of these two
|139 Tau
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ιὰ, ὧν δ’ μεγέθους ἄ, 8 ἱ.
|{ll stars, I of the fourth magnitude, I 0 of the fifth}
|
|}
=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
<gallery>
File:Little BULL (drawn by Weidner 1967).png|Bull of Heaven drawn on the clay tablet VAT 7851, drawing by Weidner (1967, reproduced by SMH).
File:Taurus umzeichnung nicer.jpg|clay tablet VAT 7851, microzodiac tablet with drawings for the zodiac sign of Taurus, The Bull
File:HeavenlyBull JessicaGullberg stellarium.jpg|Front part of the Bull of Heaven, painted by Jessica Gullberg for Stellarium.
File:FarneseSMH2017 web 33.jpg|Taurus as shown on the marble Farnese Globe (drawing SMH)
File:Aratea fol. 24v.jpg|Taurus in the Leiden Aratea, 9th century, the Pleiades marked with six dots
File:Aratea fol. 42v.jpg|Pleiades as Seven Sisters in the Leiden Aratea
File:Tau uranometria.png|Taurus in Bayer's Uranometria (1603)
</gallery>

== Greek Mythology ==
[[File:Grch2EuroMuenze GR-2008-KAT-300x300.jpg|alt=photograph of a coin|thumb|Greek 2 Euros coin, reverse, princess Europa riding a Bull]]
The most famous of the Greek myths about the bull is the abduction of Princess Europa of Phoenicia. Zeus had transformed himself into a bull, she played with him, sat on his back and then he galloped into the water and swam to Crete. Euripides tells this story and also found its way into astronomical literature via Eratosthenes. Today, the motif is depicted on Greek 2 euro coins.

Mythographers favour the Pleiades story of the nymph Pleione and her seven daughters, who supposedly want to remain virgins but are pursued by the lustful Orion. They apparently do not achieve their goal of eternal virginity, because each of them becomes pregnant: none by Orion. Six of them give birth to sons of the gods, one of them - Merope - marries the mortal Sisyphus (from the Greek ‘merops’, mortal).

In Mesopotamia, the Celestial Bull is undoubtedly from the Epic of Gilgamesh:

Gilgamesh was a cruel ruler under whom his subjects suffered. The gods therefore created a companion for him. This one, Enkidu, had grown up among animals and represents the moral antithesis to Gilgamesh: He criticises the ruler's cruelty. After a wrestling match, they become friends and set off together to cut down trees in the sacred cedar forest. First they have to defeat the guardian of this forest, which they succeed in doing, but afterwards Enkidu regrets the deed because the forest is no longer so beautiful and is inhabited and ‘animated’ by animals. Next they come to Uruk, where the city goddess offers Gilgamesh to become her husband. He refuses, pointing out that her other suitors have fared badly. Ishtar then complains to her father Anu and asks him for the Bull of Heaven to set him on Gilgamesh, who has insulted her. Anu points out that the city of Uruk and its inhabitants are threatened with great famine if he is brought down to earth, but Ishtar says that she has made provisions for the people. Nevertheless, 300 men fall victim to this bull before Enkidu and Gilgamesh slaughter it and sacrifice it to the sun god.

Enkidu must atone for this deed with death and Gilgamesh, who initially sets out in search of the herb of life for immortality, finally realises that there are more important things than power and violence and that immortality can only be achieved through good deeds. He invents the city wall to pacify Uruk and becomes a good king.

A bull associated with the sun is a fairly common religious motif: it also appears in the contemporary Egyptian deity Apis and later in the cult of Mithras.

== Weblinks ==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/taurus.html Star Tales: online edition]”.

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]

Taurus

2025-06-12T04:03:55Z

Dorvic: /* Aratos */

[[File:Taurus (tau).tif|alt=sstar chart of Taurus|thumb|Taurus, The Bull, modern definition. credit: IAU and Sky & Telescope]]
One of the 88 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Astronomical_Union IAU] constellations. For the star cluster-asterisms of the [[Pleiades]] and the [[Hyades]] see separate entry.

==Etymology and History==
The shape of a bull is quite easily recognisable in the sky in this asterism. Two open star clusters stand out prominently: the Hyades and the Pleiades. They are sometimes seen as the pillars of a gate through which the sun, moon and planets pass. By adding further stars, they become the figure of half a bull. Greek mythology explains the absence of the back of the bull by the fact that it is swimming.

In reality, of course, the zodiacal constellation - like all the others - is taken from Mesopotamia.
[[File:Kugel aur+tau.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe: Auriga and Taurus (drawing by SMH 2024)<ref>Hoffmann (2025), Some Results on the Ancient Globes, Globe Studies – The Journal of the International Coronelli Society, 69, 4169.</ref>]]

=== Origin of Constellation ===
Originally, the celestial bull is part of the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh was king of Sumer, the southern part of Mesopotamia, in the 3rd millennium. It is unclear how long this king actually lived and ruled, but he is documented in a list of kings. Perhaps several kings (of the same name) are mixed up there. The figure of Gilgamesh in literature symbolises a number of cultural upheavals or as a founder of culture.

The most important city in Sumer was Uruk, whose city goddess is Inanna/Ishtar. After Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu had already performed other heroic deeds, they fight together in Uruk against the celestial bull sent by Ishtar: the bull belonged to Ishtar's father, the sky god Anu, and was therefore a deity or mythical creature. The heroes succeed in defeating the beast when Enkidu grabs the bull from behind and Gilgamesh grabs it from the front. This explains the bisected constellation.

Some researchers see the Mesopotamian constellations Hired Man (today: Aries) and True Shepherd of the Heavens (today: Orion) as a representation of this bullfight between Enkidu (Hired Man on the invisible hindquarters of the bull) and Gilgamesh. The figure of Orion stretches out one hand towards the bull's head and, according to the Almagest, swings a club with the other as if to hit the bull between the horns - as reported in the Epic of Gilgamesh (tablet 6). In addition, the shepherd figure (for humans) is a metaphor for rulers, which can be traced back to Sumerian times for kings and lives on today in the symbolism of Christian bishops. However, the divine shepherd is typically Dumuzi, Ishtar's husband, assigned to the labourer's constellation. The connection between the constellations Ori-Tau-Ari is therefore very speculative without written evidence. Writing as a cultural technique had only just been invented at this time. Only a few commercial documents and no astronomical texts have survived from the 3rd millennium.

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>Near the feet o f the Charioteer look for the horned Bull crouching. This constellation is very recognisable, so clearly defined is its head: one needs no other sign to identify the ox’s head, so well do the stars themselves model both sides of it as they go round. Their name is also very popular: the Hyades are not just nameless. They are set out all along the Bull’s face; the point of its left horn and the right foot o f the adjacent Charioteer are occupied by a single star, and they are pinned together as they go. But the Bull is always ahead o f the Charioteer in sinking to the horizon, though it rises simultaneously. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>The Bull was placed among the stars because it carried Europa safely to Crete, as Euripides says. Some say that when Io was transformed into a heifer, Jupiter, to seem to make amends, put an image among the constellations which resembled a bull in its fore parts, but was dim behind. It faces towards the East, and the stars which outline the face are called Hyades. These, Pherecydes the Athenian says, are the nurses of Liber, seven in number, who earlier were nymphae called Dodonidae. Their names are as follows: Ambrosia, Eudora, Pedile, Coronis, Polyxo, Phyto, and Thyone. They are said to have been put to flight by Lycurgus and all except Ambrosia took refuge with Thetis, as Asclepiades says. But according to Pherecydes, they brought Liber to Thebes and delivered him to Ino, and for this reason Jove expressed his thanks to them by putting them among the constellations.

The Pleiades were so named, according to Musaeaus, because fifteen daughters were born to Atlas and Aethra, daughter of Ocean. Five of them are called Hyades, he shows, because their brother was Hyas, a youth dearly beloved by his sisters. When he was killed in a lion hunt, the five we have mentioned, given over to continual lamentation, are said to have perished. Because they grieved exceedingly at his death, they are called Hyades. The remaining ten brooded over the death of their sisters, and brought death on themselves; because so may experienced the same grief, they were called Pleiades. Alexander says they were called Hyades because they were daughters of Hyas and Boeotia, Pleiades, because born of Pleio, daughter of Ocean, and Atlas.

The Pleiades are called seven in number, but only six can be seen. This reason has been advanced, that of the seven, six mated with immortals (three with Jove, two with Neptune, and one with Mars); the seventh was said to have been the wife of Sisyphus. From Electra and Jove, Dardanus was born; from Maia and Jove, Mercury; from Taygete and Jove, Lacedaemon; from Alcyone and Neptune, Hyrieus; from Celaeno and Neptune, Lycus and Nycteus. Mars by Sterope begat Oinomaus, but others call her the wife of Oinomaus. Merope, wed to Sisyphus, bore Glaucus, who, as many say, was the father of Bellerophon. On account of her other sisters she was placed among the constellations, but because she married a mortal, her star is dim. Others say Electra does not appear because the Pleiades are thought to lead the circling dance for the stars, but after Troy was captured and her descendants through Dardanus overthrown, moved by grief she left them and took her place in the circle called Arctic. From this she appears, in grief for such a long time, with her hair unbound, that, because of this, she is called a comet.

But ancient astronomers placed these Pleiades, daughters of Pleione and Atlas, as we have said, apart from the Bull. When Pleione once was travelling through Boeotia with her daughters, Orion, who was accompanying her, tried to attack her. She escaped, but Orion sought her for seven years and couldn't find her. Jove, pitying the girls, appointed a way to the stars, and later, by some astronomers, they were called the Bull's tail. And so up to this time Orion seems to be following them as they flee towards the west. Our writers call these stars Vergiliae, because they rise after spring. They have still greater honour than the others, too, because their rising is a sign of summer, their setting of winter — a thing is not true of the other constellations. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Ταῦρος ====
{| class="wikitable"
! id
! Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
! English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ταύρου ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of Taurus
!
|-
|1
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἀποτομῇ δ’ ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the 4 stars in the cut-off
|5 Tau
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐχόμενος αὐτοῦ.
|The one close by this
|4 Tau
|-
|3
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου ἐχόμενος.
|The one close again to the latter
|xi Tau
|-
|4
|ὁ νοτιώτατος τῶν δ
|The southernmost of the 4
|omi Tau
|-
|5
|ὁ τούτοις ἐπόμενος ἐπὶ τῆς δεξιᾶς ὡμοπλάτης
|The one to the rear of these, on the right shoulder-blade
|30 Tau
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐε τῷ στήθει
|The star in the ehest
|lam Tau
|-
|7
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόρατος
|The star on the right knee
|mu Tau
|-
|8
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ σφυροῦ
|The star on the right hock
|nu Tau
|-
|9
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόνατος
|The star an the left knee
|90 Tau
|-
|10
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ πήχεως
|The star on the left lower leg
|88 Tau
|-
|11
|τῶν ἐν τῷ προσώπῳ καλουμένων Τάδων ὁ ἐπὶ τῶν μυκτήρων
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the one on the nostrils
|gam Tau
|-
|12
|ὁ μεταξὺ τούτου καὶ τοῦ βορεύου ὀφθαλμοῦ
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the one between this and the northern eye
|del1 Tau
|-
|13
|ὁ μεταξὺ αὐτοῦ καὶ τοῦ φοτύου ὀφδαλμοῦ
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the one between it [ no. 11] and the southern eye
|tet1 Tau
|-
|14
|ὁ λαμπρὸς τῶν Ῥάδων ἐπὶ τοῦ νοτίου ὀφθαλμοῦ ὑπόκιρρος
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the bright star ofthe Hyades, the reddishone on the southern eye
|alf Tau
|-
|15
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ βορεύου ὀφθαλμοῦ
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the remaining one, on the nordlern eye
|eps Tau
|-
|16
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐκφύσεως τοῦ νοτίου κέρατος καὶ τοῦ ὠτίου
|The star on the place where the southern horn and the ear join [the head]
|97 Tau
|-
|17
|ὁ τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ φοτίου κέρατος β ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The southernmost of the 2 stars on the southern horn
|104 Tau
|-
|18
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν
|The northernmost of these
|106 Tau
|-
|19
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ νοτίου κέρατος
|The star on the tip of the southern horn
|zet Tau
|-
|20
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐκφύσεως τοῦ βορείου κέρατος.
|The star on the place where the northern horn joins [ the head]
|tau Tau
|-
|21
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ βορείου κέρατος ὁ αὐτὸς τῷ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ποδὸς τοῦ Ἡνιόχου.
|The star on the tip of the northern horn, which is the same as the one on right foot of [[Auriga]]
|bet Tau
|-
|22
|τῶν ἐν τῷ βορείῳ ὠτίῳ β σύνεγγυς ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars close tagether in the northern ear
|ups Tau
|-
|23
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|kap Tau
|-
|24
|τῶν ἐν τῷ τραχήλῳ β μικρῶν ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 small stars in the neck
|37 Tau
|-
|25
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|omega Tau
|-
|26
|τοῦ ἐν τῷ αὐχένι τετραπλεύρου τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The quadrilateral in the neck: the southernmost star on the advance side
|44 Tau
|-
|27
|ὁ βορειότερος τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The quadrilateral in the neck: the northernmost star on the advance side
|psi Tau
|-
|28
|τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The quadrilateral in the neck: the southernmost star on the rear side
|chi Tau
|-
|29
|ὁ βορειότερος τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς.
|The quadrilateral in the neck: the northernmost one on the rear side
|phi Tau
|-
|30
|τῆς Πλειάδος τὸ βόρειου πέρας τῆς ἠγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The Pleiades: the northern end of the advance side
|19 Tau
|-
|31
|τὸ νότιον πέρας τῆς ἠγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The Pleiades: the southern end of the advance side
|23 Tau
|-
|32
|τὸ ἐπόμενου καὶ στεηότατον πέρας τῆς Πλειάδος.
|The Pleiades: the rearmost and narrowest end of the Pleiades
|27 Tau
|-
|33
|ὁ ἔκτος καὶ μικρὸς τῆς Πλειάδος ἀπ’ ἄρκτων
|The Pleiades: the small star outside the Pleiades, towards the north
|HR 1188
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες λβ, ὥν αἱ μεγέθουςα, γ’ς, δ’ ἴἄ, ε φ, ς’ α.
|32 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, 6 of the third, 11 of the fourth, 13 of the ftfth, 1 of the sixth
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν Ταῦρον ἀμόρφωτου.
!Stars araund Taurus outside the constellation:
!
|-
|34
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὸν δεξιὸν πόδα καὶ τὴν ὡμοπλάτην.
|The star under the right foot and the shoulder-blade
|10 Tau
|-
|35
|τῶν ὑπὲρ τὸ νότιον κέρας γ’ ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The most advanced of the 3 stars over the southern horn
|iot Tau
|-
|36
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν.
|The middle one of the three
|109 Tau
|-
|37
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The rearmost of them
|114 Tau
|-
|38
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὸ ἄκρου τοῦ νοτίου κέρατος β’ ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the 2 stars under the tip of the southern horn
|126 Tau
|-
|39
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|129 Tau
|-
|40
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὸ βόρειον κέρας ἓ ἐπομένων ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The 5 Stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the most advanced
|121 Tau
|-
|41
|ὁ τούτῳ ἑπόμενος.
|The 5 Stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the one to the rcar of thi's
|125 Tau
|-
|42
|ὁ ἔτι τούτῳ ἐπόμενος.
|The 5 Stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the one to the rear again of the latter
|132 Tau
|-
|43
|τῶν λοιπῶν καὶ ἐπομένωυ β ὁ βορειότερος.
|The 5 Stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the northernmost of the remaining, rearmost 2
|136 Tau
|-
|44
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The 5 Stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the southernmost of these two
|139 Tau
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ιὰ, ὧν δ’ μεγέθους ἄ, 8 ἱ.
|{ll stars, I of the fourth magnitude, I 0 of the fifth}
|
|}
=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
<gallery>
File:Little BULL (drawn by Weidner 1967).png|Bull of Heaven drawn on the clay tablet VAT 7851, drawing by Weidner (1967, reproduced by SMH).
File:Taurus umzeichnung nicer.jpg|clay tablet VAT 7851, microzodiac tablet with drawings for the zodiac sign of Taurus, The Bull
File:HeavenlyBull JessicaGullberg stellarium.jpg|Front part of the Bull of Heaven, painted by Jessica Gullberg for Stellarium.
File:FarneseSMH2017 web 33.jpg|Taurus as shown on the marble Farnese Globe (drawing SMH)
File:Aratea fol. 24v.jpg|Taurus in the Leiden Aratea, 9th century, the Pleiades marked with six dots
File:Aratea fol. 42v.jpg|Pleiades as Seven Sisters in the Leiden Aratea
File:Tau uranometria.png|Taurus in Bayer's Uranometria (1603)
</gallery>

== Greek Mythology ==
[[File:Grch2EuroMuenze GR-2008-KAT-300x300.jpg|alt=photograph of a coin|thumb|Greek 2 Euros coin, reverse, princess Europa riding a Bull]]
The most famous of the Greek myths about the bull is the abduction of Princess Europa of Phoenicia. Zeus had transformed himself into a bull, she played with him, sat on his back and then he galloped into the water and swam to Crete. Euripides tells this story and also found its way into astronomical literature via Eratosthenes. Today, the motif is depicted on Greek 2 euro coins.

Mythographers favour the Pleiades story of the nymph Pleione and her seven daughters, who supposedly want to remain virgins but are pursued by the lustful Orion. They apparently do not achieve their goal of eternal virginity, because each of them becomes pregnant: none by Orion. Six of them give birth to sons of the gods, one of them - Merope - marries the mortal Sisyphus (from the Greek ‘merops’, mortal).

In Mesopotamia, the Celestial Bull is undoubtedly from the Epic of Gilgamesh:

Gilgamesh was a cruel ruler under whom his subjects suffered. The gods therefore created a companion for him. This one, Enkidu, had grown up among animals and represents the moral antithesis to Gilgamesh: He criticises the ruler's cruelty. After a wrestling match, they become friends and set off together to cut down trees in the sacred cedar forest. First they have to defeat the guardian of this forest, which they succeed in doing, but afterwards Enkidu regrets the deed because the forest is no longer so beautiful and is inhabited and ‘animated’ by animals. Next they come to Uruk, where the city goddess offers Gilgamesh to become her husband. He refuses, pointing out that her other suitors have fared badly. Ishtar then complains to her father Anu and asks him for the Bull of Heaven to set him on Gilgamesh, who has insulted her. Anu points out that the city of Uruk and its inhabitants are threatened with great famine if he is brought down to earth, but Ishtar says that she has made provisions for the people. Nevertheless, 300 men fall victim to this bull before Enkidu and Gilgamesh slaughter it and sacrifice it to the sun god.

Enkidu must atone for this deed with death and Gilgamesh, who initially sets out in search of the herb of life for immortality, finally realises that there are more important things than power and violence and that immortality can only be achieved through good deeds. He invents the city wall to pacify Uruk and becomes a good king.

A bull associated with the sun is a fairly common religious motif: it also appears in the contemporary Egyptian deity Apis and later in the cult of Mithras.

== Weblinks ==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/taurus.html Star Tales: online edition]”.

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]

Lyra

2025-05-03T04:24:18Z

Dorvic: /* Ovid, Fasti */

[[File:Lyra IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Lyra star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]].
[[File:KugelGlobe Sge.JPG|thumb|Cyg, Lyr, Del, Aql and Sge on the Kugel Globe (1st century BCE), SMH 2024.]]

==Etymology and History==
The Greek constellation ...

===Origin of Constellation===

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>The Tortoise too is small; when Hermes was actually still in his cradle, he hollowed out the shell and bade it be called a Lyre. [270] He set it down in front of the unknown figure, when he had brought it to the sky. The figure, as he crouches, comes near it with his left knee, while the Bird’s head at one extremity circles opposite it: the Lyre is set fast between the Bird’s head and the knee. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Ovid, Fasti =====
<blockquote>[1, 315] Should the Nones be at hand, showers discharged from sable clouds will be your sign, at the rising of the Lyre.

[1, 653] When the seventh sun, reckoned from that day, shall have set in the sea, the Lyre will shine no longer anywhere in the sky.

[1, 655] After the setting of that constellation (the Lyre), the fire that glitters in the middle of the Lion’s breast will be sunk below the horizon at nightfall. (James George Frazer 1931)</blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>The Lyre was put among the constellations for the following reason, as Eratosthenes says. Made at first by Mercury from a tortoise shell, it was given to Orpheus, son of Calliope and Oiagrus, who was passionately devoted to music. It is thought that by his skill he could charm even wild beasts to listen. When, grieving for his wife Eurydice, he descended to the Lower World, he praised the children of the gods in his song, all except Father Liber; him he overlooked and forgot, as Oineus did Diana in sacrifice. Afterwards, then, when Orpheus was taking delight in song, seated, as many say, on Mt. Olympus, which separates Macedonia from Thrace, or on Pangaion, as Eratosthenes says, Liber is said to have roused the Bacchanals against him. They slew him and dismembered his body. But others say that this happened because he had looked on the rites of Liber. The Muses gathered the scattered limbs and gave them burial, and as the greatest favour they could confer, they put as a memorial his lyre, pictured with stars, among the constellations. Apollo and Jove consented, for Orpheus had praised Apollo highly, and Jupiter granted this favour to his daughter.

Others say that when Mercury first made the lyre on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia, he made it with seven strings to correspond to the number of Atlantides, since Maia, his mother, was of their company. Later, when he had driven away the cattle of Apollo and had been caught in the act, to win pardon more easily, at Apollo's request he gave him permission to claim the invention of the lyre, and received from him a certain staff as reward. When Mercury, holding it in his hand, was journeying to Arcadia and saw two snakes with bodies intertwined, apparently fighting, he put down the staff between them. They separated then, and so he said that the staff had been appointed to bring peace. Some, in making caducei, put two snakes intertwined on the rod, because this seemed to Mercury a bringer of peace. Following his example, they use the staff in athletic contests and other contests of this kind.

But to return to the subject at hand. Apollo took the lyre, and is said to have taught Orpheus on it, and after he himself had invented the cithara, he gave the lyre to Orpheus.

Some also have said that Venus and Proserpina came to Jove for his decision, asking him to which of them he would grant Adonis. Calliope, the judge appointed by Jove, decided that each should posses him half of the year. But Venus, angry because she had not been granted what she thought was her right, stirred the women in Thrace by love, each to seek Orpheus for herself, so that they tore him limb from limb. His head, carried down from the mountain into the sea, was cast by the waves upon the island of Lesbos. It was taken up and buried by the people of Lesbos, and in return for this kindness, they have the reputation of being exceedingly skilled in the art of music. The lyre, as we have said, was put by the Muses among the stars.

Some say that because Orpheus first favored love for youths, he seemed to insult women, and for this reason they killed him. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Δύρα. ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Λόρας ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Lyra
!
|-
|1
|ὁ λαμπρὸς ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ὀστράκου καλούμευος Δύρα.
|The bright star on the shell, called Lyra
|alf Lyr
|-
|2
|τῶν παρακειμένων αὐτῷ β συνεχῶν ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars lying near the latter, close together
|eps Lyr
|-
|3
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|zet Lyr
|-
|4
|ὁ τούτοις ἐπόμενος καὶ μέσος τῆς ἐκφύσεως τῶν κεράτωυ
|The one to the rear of these, in between the points where the horns [of the lyre] are attached
|del Lyr
|-
|5
|τῶν ἐν τῷ πρὸς ἀνατολὴν τοῦ ὀστράκου β συνεχῶν ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the 2 stars close together in the region to the east of the shell
|eta Lyr
|-
|6
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|tet Lyr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ξυγώματι προηγουμένων β ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the two advance stars in the bridge
|bet Lyr
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|nu Lyr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ζυγώματι ἐπομένων β ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν.
|The northernmost of the two rear stars in the bridge
|gam Lyr
|-
|
|ὁ ροτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|lam Lyr
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ἱ, ὥρ α μεγέθους ἄ, γ’ β, δ’ ὅ
|10 stars, I of the first magnitude, 2 of the third, 7 of the fourth
|
|}
===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Lyra Uranometria.jpg|Lyra in Bayer (1603)
File:Lyra Hevelius1690.jpg|Lyra in Hevelius (1690)
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - La Lyre, Le Cigne, Le Lezard, Le Renard (Lyra, Cygnus, Lacerta, Vupecula).jpg|Lyra in Flamsteed (1776)
File:Lyr Fortin1795.jpg|Lyra in Fortin's Atlas Céleste, 3rd edition (1795).
File:8 Uranographia.jpg|Lyra in Bode (1801)
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Lacerta, Cygnus, Lyra, Vulpecula and Anser.jpg|Lyra in Hall (1825)
</gallery>

==Mythology==
<gallery>
File:Ainter of Agora 393 - ARV extra - standing boy with lyra and hare - Athens Agora Museum - 02.jpg|Ainter of Agora 393 - ARV extra - standing boy with lyra and hare - Athens Agora Museum
File:Achilles Painter ARV 990 41 youth with lyra and boy - bearded man with staff (02).jpg|Achilles Painter ARV 990 41 youth with lyra
File:Cartellino Painter - ARV 452 5 - youth with lyra - Athens NAM 12803 - 02.jpg|Cartellino Painter - ARV 452 5 - youth with lyra - Athens NAM 12803
File:Lyra symbol.jpg|symbol of an ancient lyra
File:Lyra symbol2.jpg|symbol of an ancient lyra
File:Kalymna - 560-540 BC - silver stater - head of warrior - lyra - Berlin MK BM 18200148.jpg|Kalymna - 560-540 BC - silver stater - head of warrior - lyra - Berlin MK BM 18200148
File:Statue of Erato.jpg|Statue of Erato (with lyre)
</gallery>

==Weblinks==

*

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:European]]
[[Category:4work]]

Piscis Austrinus

2025-05-03T04:09:29Z

Dorvic:

[[File:Piscis Austrinus IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|star chart of PsA (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
One of the [[:Category:88 IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]] with a very old history: The original Greek name was The Great Fish was given to an earlier Babylonian constellation The Fish. When the constellation Pisces (two fish) was invented in Hellenistic times (possibly in Egypt) as a super-constellation from parts of neighbouring Babylonian originals (see [[Anunitu]], ''[[KU6|Nunu]]'', [[KU6|KU6]], ...), the original constellation of The Fish needed to be specified. To distinguish the two fish of Pisces from the traditional The Fish south of Aquarius, it was named Piscis Austrinus (or Notius as a Latinized Greek term for "south").

==Etymology and History==
The Greek constellation ...

===Origin of Constellation===

==== Babylonian ====

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>Below Capricorn and exposed to the winds of the south hovers the Fish, turned to face the Monster, distinct from the former two: they call it the Southern Fish. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>This is the Fish that is called Southern. He seems to take water in his mouth from the sign of Aquarius. Once, when Isis was in labor, he is thought to have saved her, and as a reward for this kindness she placed the fish and its young, about whom we have spoken before, among the stars. As a result the Syrians generally do not eat fish, and worship their gilded likenesses as household gods. Ctesias, too, writes about this. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest ====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ἰχθύος νοτίου ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of the Southern Fish
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐν τῷ στόματι ὁ αὐτὸς τῇ ἀρχῇ τοῦ Ὕδατος
|The star in the mouth, which is the same as the beginning ofthe water
|alf PsA
|-
|2
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς φοτίου τῆς κεφαλῆς περιφερεύας γ’ ὁ ἠγούμενος
|Thc most advanced of thc 3 stars on the southcrn rim of the head
|bet PsA
|-
|3
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middlc onc
|gam PsA
|-
|4
|ὁ ἑπόμενος τῶν τριῶν
|The rearmost of the three
|del PsA
|-
|5
|ὁ πρὸς τῷ βράγχω
|The star hy thc gills
|eps PsA
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς νωτιαίας νοτίου ἀκάνθης
|The star on the southcrnmost spine on the back
|mu PsA
|-
|7
|τῶν ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ β ὁ ἑπόμενος
|The rearmost of the 2 stars in the belly
|zet PsA
|-
|8
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν
|The more advanced of them
|lam PsA
|-
|9
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς βορείου ἀκάνθης ἢ’ ὁ ἐπόμενος
|The rearmost af the 3 stars on the northern spine
|eta PsA
|-
|10
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one
|tet PsA
|-
|11
|ὁ προηγούμενος τῶν τριῶν.
|The most advanced of the three
|iot PsA
|-
|12
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς οὐρᾶς
|The star on the tip of the tail
|gam Gru
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ἴα, ὧν δ’ μεγέθους θ, ε β
|{11 stars, 9 of the fourth magnitude, 2 of the fifth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν νότιον Ἰχθὺν ἀμόρφωτοι.
!
!
|-
|
|τῶν προηγουμένων λαμπρῶν φ τοῦ Ἰχθύος ὁ ἠγούμενος
|The most advanced ofthe 3 bright stars in advance ofPiscis [Austrinus]
|eta Mic
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶ
|The middle one
|tet1 Mic
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμευος τῶν τριῶη
|The rearmost of the three
|xi Gru
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος ἀμαυρός
|The faint star in advance of this
|tet2 Mic
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν πρὸς ἄρκτους β’ ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The southernmost of the remaining 2 stars to the north
|gam Mic
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν
|The northernmost of them
|alf Mic
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρες ξ, ὥν γ’ μεγέθους γ, δ’ β, εα.
|
|
|}
===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Greek Mythology==

==Weblinks==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/piscisaustrinus.html Star Tales: online edition]”.

==References ==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:4work]]

Hydra

2025-05-03T04:08:46Z

Dorvic: /* Hyginus, Astronomica */

[[File:Hydra IAU.svg|alt=IAU Hydra chart|thumb|IAU Hydra chart]]
[[File:Hya+crt+crv stellarium mulapin.jpg|thumb|Babylonian predecessor of Hydra: MUŠ, a creature with a snake-body with a wing, a dog-head and front legs; painting by Jessica Gullberg, in Stellarium by Susanne M Hoffmann]]
[[File:Leo+vir umzeichng4plani black.png|thumb|clay tablets VAT 7847+AO6448]]
[[File:Hya+crt+crv stellarium farnese.jpg|thumb|Hydra (as a vessel) with Corvus and Crater on the Farnese Globe (2nd century CE), mapped to Stellarium by SMH 2021.]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. The name "Hydra" refers to a watersnake from Greek mythology. Still, the underlying constellation originally referred to a Babylonian creature that consisted of a dog-headed snake with wings, the [[MUŠ]].

==Etymology and History==
The Greek constellation of the Water Snake is a derivative of the Babylonian constellation of the MUŠ-Dragon, a dog-headed creature with the body of a gigantic snake with front legs and wings.
=== Origin of Constellation ===
The Babylonian constellation is mentioned as early as 2nd millennium BCE; it occurs in lexical texts and texts of the Three Stars Each-genre. It is also mentioned in the first list (uranology) of MUL.APIN, where the Raven (or Crow) is mentioned at the tip of the tail of the huge creature in the sky.

==== Aratus ====
[[File:Hya kugel smh2024.jpg|thumb|Constellation Hydra with Crater and Corvus on the Kugel Globe (1st century BCE), detail from drawing by SMH.<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M (2025), Some Results on the Ancient Globes, Globe Studies – The Journal of the International Coronelli Society, 69, 4169.</ref>]]<blockquote>But yet another constellation sweeps across the horizon: they call it the Hydra. Like a living thing [445] it winds at great length, its head comes below the middle of the Crab, its coil under the Lion’s body, and its tail hangs over the Centaur himself. On its middle coil lies the Bowl, and on the last one the figure of a Raven that looks like one pecking the coil. [450] Yes, and there too Procyon shines brightly beneath the Twins. (Kidd 1997) </blockquote>For Aratus pi Hya is part of the snake which can be derived from the simultaneously setting constellations (663).

==== Eratosthenes ====
Eratosthenes in his Catasterismi gives two sections per constellation: First, he describes the story that led to the object/ animal/ god becoming a constellation. Then, he describes the positions of the stars in the figure. <blockquote>This constellation is plural because of one event event. The raven is associated with the cult of Apollo, as a bird is dedicated to each of the gods. As the gods were making a sacrifice, he was sent to a fountain to collect a libation; seeing a fig tree near the fountain bearing figs that were unripe figs, he waited for them to ripen; after a while, when they were time, when they were ripe and he had eaten the figs, realising eaten the figs, realising that he had committed a sacrilege, he also seized the hydra that was in the fountain and brought it with the cup, claiming that the hydra had been drinking day after day from the spring. But Apollo discovered what had happened and imposed on the raven a punishment commensurate with his fault : to be thirsty among men at this time of year as Aristotle says in his books On Beasts. For leave a clear reminder of the sacrilege that had been committed against the gods, Apollo represented and placed among the constellations the Hydra, the Crater, and the Raven who cannot drink from it or go near it.

The Hydra has three bright stars on the tip of its head head, six on its first fold, the last of which is bright, three on the second fold, four on the third, two on the fourth, and nine stars without brilliance which go from the fifth fold to the tail. In all, twenty-seven. The Raven is located on the tail of Hydra and looks towards the setting sun. It has a star without luster on the beak, two on the wing, two on the rump, and one on the tip of the legs. In all, seven. The Crater is located on the Hydra, at a certain distance from the fold, and is inclined towards the knees of the the Virgin. The Crater has two stars without luster on the rim, two in the centre of the Cup, and two at the the base. In all, six. (Pamias and Zucker 2013) </blockquote>

===== Ancient Greek =====

===== English (our translation) =====
<blockquote>'''Hydra to which also belongs the Cup and the Raven'''

This constellation is plural [a super-constellation] because of one event. The raven is associated with the cult of Apollo, as a bird is dedicated to each of the gods. As the gods were making a sacrifice, he was sent to a fountain to collect a libation; seeing a fig tree near the fountain bearing figs that were unripe, he waited for them to ripen. At the time, when they were ripe and he had eaten the figs. Realising that he had committed a sacrilege, he also seized the watersnake (hydra) that was in the fountain and brought it with the cup, claiming that the hydra had been drinking day after day from the spring. But Apollo discovered what had happened and imposed on the raven punishment commensurate with his fault: to be thirsty among men at this time of the year, as Aristotle says in his books On the Animals. For the sacrilege that had been committed against the gods, Apollo placed the Hydra, the Crater, and the Raven, who cannot drink or bath among the constellations.

The Hydra has three bright stars on the tip of its head, six on its first fold, the last of which is bright, three on the second fold, four on the third, two on the fourth, and nine stars without brilliance which go from the fifth fold to the tail. In all, twenty-seven. The Raven is located on the tail of Hydra and looks towards the setting sun. It has a star without luster on the beak, two on the wing, two on the rump, and one on the tip of the legs. In all, seven. The Crater is located on the Hydra, at a certain distance from the fold, and is inclined towards the knees of the Virgin. The Crater has two stars without luster on the rim, two in the centre of the Cup, and two at the base.</blockquote>

==== Hipparchus ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Greek
(Manitius 1894)
!German
(Manitius 1894)
!English
!
|-
|
|weiter giebt Eudoxos auch die auf den sogenannten Kolurkreisen gelegenen Sterne an und behauptet, auf dem einen derselben liege die Mitte des Großen Bären, die Mitte des Kreises, der Nacken der Wasserschlange und von der Argo das Stück zwischen dem Hinterteil und dem Mastbaum; alsdann nach dem unsichtbaren Pol der Schwanz des südlichen Fisches, die Mitte des Steinbocks und die Mitte des Pfeils; endlich gehe er durch den Hals und den rechten Flügel des Schwans, durch die linke Hand des Kepheus, durch die Windung der Schlange und vorbei am Schwanze des Kleinen Bären.
|Eudoxus also gives the stars situated on the so-called circles of Colur and claims that on one of them lies the centre of the Great Bear, the centre of the circle, the neck of '''the watersnake''' and the part of the Argo between the rump and the mast; then, after the invisible pole, the tail of the southern fish, the centre of Capricorn and the centre of the arrow; finally, it passes through the neck and the right wing of the swan, through the left hand of Cepheus, through the coil of the Snake and past the tail of the Little Bear.
|Lib. I. Cap. XL § 9 .
|-
|
|Ersichtlich macht er dies auch bei dem Aufgange der Fische, wo er sich also ausdrückt; nachdem er nämlich von der Wasserschlange gesagt, daß das Stück vom Kopfe bis zur ersten Windung, wenn der Wassermann im Aufgange begriffen ist, nicht mehr über dem Horizont sei, während den Rest ihres Körpers die Fische hinabführen.
|He also makes this evident in the rising of the fishes, where he expresses himself thus; for after he has said of '''the watersnake''' that the part from the head to the first coil, when the Aquarius is in the act of rising, is no longer above the horizon, while the rest of its body is led down by the fishes.
|Lib. II. Cap. I. § 24
|-
|
|Untergang des Perseus, mitkulminierend:
Leo 5 1/2: Von der Wasserschlange der vierte von den vier hinter dem hellen nach Osten gelegenen (λ2), 1 Mbr. westlich des Meridians.
|Setting of Perseus, co-culminating:
Leo 5 1/2: Of '''the''' '''watersnake''' the fourth of the four behind the bright one to the east (λ2), 1 moon width west of the meridian.
|Lib. II, Cap.VI. §15
|-
|
|Aufgang des Kentaur, mitkulminierend:
Cnc 12°: Von der Wasserschlange der nachfolgende in der südlichen Kinnlade (η)
|Rising of the centaur, co-culminating:

Cnc 12°: From '''the watersnake''' of the following in the southern jaw (η)
|Lib. III. Cap. I. § 4.
|-
|
|Untergang Kleiner Hund, mitkulminierend:
3 . Von der Wasserschlange der am Ende des Schwanzes (π).
|Downfall Small dog, co-culminating:
3 . From '''the watersnake''' at the end of the tail (π).
|Lib. III. Cap. n. § 13
|-
|
|Aufgang der Jungfrau, mitkulminierend:
2. Von der Wasserschlange der nördlichere von denen im Rachen (δ) , 1 Mbr. östlich des Meridians.
|Rising of Virgo, co-culminating:
2. of '''the watersnake''' the more northerly of those in the throat (δ), 1 moon width east of the meridian.
|Lib. III. Cap. III. § 3
|-
|
|Aufgang des Skorpions, mitkulminierend:
Von der Wasserschlange von den vieren nach dem hellsten [vor dem Becher] der dritte von Westen (ν2 Hydrae)
|Rising of the scorpion, co-culminating:

Of '''the watersnake''' of the four after the brightest [before the cup] the third from the west (ν2 Hydrae)
|Lib. III. Cap. III. § 5.
|}
The mathematical astronomer mentions this constellation rising and setting.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Greek
!German
(Manitius 1894)
!English
(from Manitius 1894)
!
|-
|
|Die Wasserschlange (Hydra). Aufgang von Cnc 18 1/2 Grad bis Lib 15 1/2 Grad, Mitkulmination Ari 2 1/2 Grad bis Cnc 18 Grad.

* Anfang: Der nördlichere von denen im Rachen (δ).
* Ende: Der am Ende des Schwanzes (π).
* Ari 2 1/2°
** Vom Perseus der nebelförmige im Sichelschwert (χh).
** Der Knoten im Band der Fische (α), 1 Mbr. östlich des Meridians.
** Der nachfolgende von den drei hellen im Kopfe des Widders (α), 1 Mbr. östlich des Meridians.
* Cnc 18°
** Vom Löwen der südlichere der vorangehenden von denen im Kopfe (λ).
** Von der Argo der nördlichere von denen in der Mitte des Mastes ( o3 Argus = γ Pyxidis Nauticae)

Dauer des Aufgangs: 7 1/15 St. = 424m = 106°.
|The water snake (Hydra). Rising from Cnc 18 1/2 degrees to Lib 15 1/2 degrees, co-culmination Ari 2 1/2 degrees to Cnc 18 degrees.

* Beginning: The more northerly of those in the throat (δ).

* End: The one at the end of the tail (π).

* Ari 2 1/2°
** From Perseus the nebulous one in the crescent sword (χh).
** The node in the band of Pisces (α), 1 moon width east of the meridian.
** The next of the three bright ones in the head of Aries (α), 1 moon width east of the meridian.

* Cnc 18°
** Of Leo the more southerly of the preceding of those in the head (λ).
** Of the Argo the more northerly of those in the centre of the mast ( o3 Argus = γ Pyxidis Nauticae)

Duration of the rise: 7 1/15 hours = 424m = 106°.
|Lib III, Cap. I, §1
|-
|
|'''Die Wasserschlange (Hydra).''' Untergang von Gem 29° bis Vir 11°; Mitkulmination Lib 18 1/2 Grad bis Sgr 18 1/2 Grad.

* Anfang: Der südlichere von denen im Raben (σ).
* Ende: Der am Ende des Schwanzes (π).
* Lib 18 1/2
** Vom Drachen der drittletzte helle im Schwanze (α), 1 Mbr. westlich des Meridians.
** Vom Bootes der helle im Gürtel (ε).
** Von den Scheren der vor dem hellen am Ende der nördlichen Schere vorangehende (δ).
** Von der Wasserschlange der am Ende des Schwanzes (γ Librae ), 1 Mbr. westlich des Meridians.
* Sgr 18 1/2
** Vom Drachen die südlichere Schläfe (γ).
** Von der Schlange des Ophiuchos der am Ende des Schwanzes (θ).
** Vom Schützen der vorangehende von denen im Obergewande (d).

Dauer des Untergangs: 4 St. = 240m = 60°.
|'''The watersnake (Hydra).''' Setting from Gem 29° to Vir 11°; co-culmination Lib 18 1/2 degrees to Sgr 18 1/2 degrees.

* Beginning: The more southerly of those in the raven (σ).

* End: The one at the end of the tail (π).

* Lib 18 1/2
** Of the kite the third last light in the tail (α), 1 Mbr. west of the meridian.
** Of the Bootes the bright one in the belt (ε).
** Of the scissors, the one preceding the bright one at the end of the northern scissors (δ).
** Of the water snake the one at the end of the tail (γ Librae ), 1 Mbr. west of the meridian.

* Sgr 18 1/2
** Of the dragon the more southern temple (γ).
** Of the serpent of Ophiuchus, that at the end of the tail (θ).
** Of the archer the preceding one of those in the upper garment (d).

Duration of the setting: 4 hours = 240m = 60°.
|Lib. III. Cap. II. § 1.
|-
|
|
|
|
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Greek
!German
!English
!
|-
|
|Der nördlichere von denen im Rachen (δ).
|
|
|-
|
|Der aro Ende des Schwanzes (π)
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|}
* The first star rising is ,
* the last star rising is the one at the tip of the tail (ὁ ἐν ἄκρᾳ τῇ οὐρᾷ).
Dauer des Aufgangs : 7 1/15 St. = 424m = 106°.

Further stars mentioned
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Greek
(Manitius 1894)
!German
(Manitius 1894)
!English
(...)
!
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|Von der Wasserschlange
|
|
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>This is the sign on which the Crow sits and over which the Bowl is placed. The following reason has been handed down: When Apollo was sacrificing, the crow, who was under his guardianship, was sent to a spring to get some pure water. Seeing several trees with their figs not yet ripe, he perched on one of them waiting for them to ripen. After some days when the figs had ripened and the crow had eaten some, Apollo, who was waiting, saw him come flying in haste with the bowl full of water. For this fault of tardiness Apollo, who had had to use other water because of the crow's delay, punished him in this way. As long as the figs are ripening, the crow cannot drink, because on those days he has a sore [?] throat,. So when the god wished to illustrate the thirst of the crow, he put the bowl among the constellations, and placed the water-snake underneath to delay the thirsty crow. For the crow seems to peck at the end of its tail to be allowed to go over to the bowl.

Istros and several others have said that the Crow was Coronis, daughter of Phlegyas. She bore Aesculapius to Apollo, but after Ischys, son of Elatus, had lain with her, the crow, which had noted it, reported it to Apollo. For his unpleasant news Apollo changed him to black instead of his former white color, and transfixed Ischys with his arrows.

About the Bowl Phylarchus writes this tale: In the Chersonnese near Troy where many have said the tomb of Protesilaus is located, there is a city, Elaeusa by name. When a certain Demophon was ruling there, a sudden plague fell on the land with a strange death-rate among the citizens. Demophon, greatly disturbed by this, sent to the oracle of Apollo seeking a remedy, and was told that every year one girl of noble rank should be sacrificed to their household gods. Demophon, passing over his own daughters, would choose by lot one of the daughters of the nobles, and kept doing this until his scheme offended a certain man of highest rank. He said he wouldn't allow his daughter to be entered in the drawing unless the daughters of the king were included. The king, angered by this, killed the noble's daughter without drawing of lots. This deed Mastusius, father of the girl, for a time out of patriotism pretended he did not resent, for the girl might have perished if the lots had been taken. Little by little, time led the king to forget. When the girl's father had shown himself to be on most friendly terms with the king, he said he was going to make a solemn sacrifice and invited the king and his daughters to join the celebration. The king, suspecting nothing, sent his daughters ahead; since he was busy with a state affair, he would come later. When this happened as Mastusius wished, he killed the king's daughters, and mixing their blood with wine in a bowl, bade it be given as a drink to the king on his arrival. The king asked for his daughters, and when he learned what had happened, he ordered Mastusius and the bowl to be thrown into the sea. The cape where he was thrown, to memorialize him is called Mastusian; the harbour still is called the Bowl. Astronomers of old pictured it in the stars, so that men might remember that no one can profit from an evil deed with impunity, nor can hostilities often be forgotten. Some, with Eratosthenes, say that it is the bowl Icarus used when he showed wine to men; others the jar into which Mars was thrown by Otus and Ephialtes. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

=== Almagest ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Greek
(Heiberg 18xx)
!
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
!
|-
|τῶν έν τῇ κεφαλῇ ε τῶν ἡγοvμένωv β ὁ vοτιώτερος ἐπὶ τῶv μυκτήρων
|1
|The 5 stars in the head: the southernmost_of the 2 advance ones, which is on the nostrils
|sig Hya
|
|-
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπάνω τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ
|2
|The 5 stars in the head: the northernmost of these [2], which is above the eye
|delta Hya
|
|-
|τῶν ἑπομένων αὐτοῑς β ὁ βόρειος ῶς ἑπὶ τοῦ κρανίου
|3
|The 5 stars in the head: the northernmost of the 2 to tl1e rear ofthese, which is about on the skull
|eps Hya
|
|-
|ὁ vοτιώτερος αύτῶν καὶ ἑπὶ τοῦ χάσματος
|4
|The 5 stars in the head: the southernmost of them, on the gaping jaws
|eta Hya
|
|-
|ὁ πᾶσιv ἑπόμεvος ὡς ἑπὶ τῆς γένvος
|5
|The 5 stars in the head: the reannost of all, about on the cheek
|zet Hya
|
|-
|τῶν ἐv τῇ έκφύσει του τραχήλου β ὁ ἡγούμενος
|6
|The more advanced ofthe 2 star~ in the place where the neckjoins [the head)
|omega Hya
|
|-
|ὁ ἑπόμενος αὐτῶν
|7
|The rearmost of them
|theta Hya
|
|-
|τῶν ἑξης ἐν τῇ καμπῇ τοῦ τραχήλου γ ὁ μέσος
|8
|The middle star of the following three in the bend of the neck
|tau2 Hya
|
|-
|ὁ ἑπόμενος τῶν γ
|9
|The rearmost of the 3
|iota Hya
|
|-
|ὁ νοτιώτατος αὐτῶν
|10
|The southernmost of them
|tau1 Hya
|
|-
|τῶν ἀπο νότου β συνεχῶν δ άμαvρος καὶ βόρειος
|11
|The faint, northernmost star of the 2 close tagether to the south
|BSC 3750
|
|-
|ὁ λαμρὸς τῶν β συνεχῶν
|12
|The bright one of these two close stars
|alpha Hya
|
|-
|τῶν μετὰ τὴν καμπὴν ἑπομέvων γ ὁ ἡγούμενος
|13
|The most advanced ofthe 3 stars to the rear, afl:er the bend [in the neck
|kappa Hya
|
|-
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|14
|The middle one
|upsilon1 Hya
|
|-
|ὁ έπόμενος τῶν τριῶν
|15
|The rearmost of the three
|upsilon2 Hya
|
|-
|τῶv ἑξῆς ὠς ἐπ' εὐθείας γ ὁ ἡγούμενος
|16
|The most advanccd of the ncxt 3 stars almost on a straight line
|mu Hya
|
|-
|ὁ μέσος αυτῶν
|17
|The middle one
|phi Hya
|
|-
|ὁ έπόμενος τῶv τριῶν
|18
|The rearmost of the three
|nu Hya
|
|-
|τῶν μετὰ τὴν βάσιν τού Κρατῆρος β ὁ βορειότερος
|19
|The northernmost of the 2 stars aher [i.c. to the rear o.t] the base of Crater
|beta Crt
|
|-
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αυτῶν
|20
|The southernmost of thcm
|chi1 Hya
|
|-
|τῶv μετα τούτους γ ὡς ἐν τριγώνῳ ὁ ἡγούμενος
|21
|The most advanced of the 3 stars aller these, as it werc in a triangle
|xi Hya
|
|-
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν και νοτιώτερος
|22
|The middle and southernmost onc
|omicron Hya
|
|-
|ὁ έπόμενος τῶν τριῶv
|23
|The rearmost of the three
|beta Hya
|
|-
|ὁ μετα τὸν Κόρκα ἐv τῷ παρούρῳ
|24
|The star after Corvus, in the scction by the tail
|gamma Hya
|
|-
|ὁ ἐπ' ἄκρας τῆς οὐρᾶς
|25
|The star on the tip of the tail
|pi Hya
|
|-
| colspan="3" |'''Stars round Hydra outside the constellation:'''
|
|
|-
|ὁ ἐκ μεσημβρίας τῆς κεφαλῆς
|26
|The star to the south of the head
|BSC 3314
|
|-
|ὁ ἐκ διαστήματος ἑπόμενος τοῑς ἐν τῷ τραχrjλῳ
|27
|The star some distance to the rear of those in the neck [ nos. 6-I5]
|epsilon Sex
|
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
<gallery>
File:Hya+crt+crv stellarium mulapin.jpg|the Babylonian version of the "Hydra and Corvus" super-constellation does not contain a cup or jar. visualized in Stellarium (drawing by Jessica Gullberg)
File:Cnc Hya KAKSISA stellarium.jpg|the lonely star in front of the dragon-head (Procyon) rised simultaneously with the faint stars of The Crab in ancient Babylon. Procyon and the head / foot of the dragon may serve as a replacement for Cancer
File:Leo+vir umzeichng4plani black.png|Leo and Virgo above the MUŠ-Dragon, two claytablet drawings from the Seleucid era (roughly 2nd century BCE), CC BY SMH based upon the drawings by E. Weidner (1967) and Thureau-Dangin (1922).
File:Hya+crt+crv stellarium farnese.jpg|The Greeks introduced a Crater atop the snake. On the Farnese Globe, the body of the snake forms a vessel for Corvus and Crater.
File:Hydra Corvus et Crater - Mercator.jpeg|Hydra with Crater and Corvus on the Mercator Globe (1551)
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Noctua, Corvus, Crater, Sextans Uraniæ, Hydra, Felis, Lupus, Centaurus, Antlia Pneumatica, Argo Navis, and Pyxis Nautica.jpg|In early modern time, some scholars extended the snake-body of Hydra beyond pi Hydrae and placed a second bird ([[Solitaire]] or [[Noctua]]) at this new end.
</gallery>

== Mythology ==

=== Greek/ Greco-Roman folklore ===

=== Babylonian belief ===

== IAU WGSN ==
The star pi Hydrae is very important in history as it is one of the keywitnesses for transfer from Hipparchus to Ptolemy.

* name in Hipparchus: ὁ ἐν ἄκρᾳ τῇ οὐρᾷ (the one at the farthest point of the tail)
* name in the Almagest: ὁ ἐπ᾽ἄκρας τῆς οὐρᾶς (the one at the end of the tail)

The Greek term ἄκρᾳ can be translated as "at the farthest point" or "at the end" (or "hightest" which doesn't apply here).

== Weblink ==

*

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]