Constellation Myths

with Aratus's Phaenomena

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Religion & Spirituality
Cover of the book Constellation Myths by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus ISBN: 9780191026539
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: May 14, 2015
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
ISBN: 9780191026539
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: May 14, 2015
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

'Athena seized the writhing serpent and hurled it into the sky, and fixed it to the very pole of the heavens.' The constellations we recognize today were first mapped by the ancient Greeks, who arranged the stars into patterns for that purpose. In the third century BC Eratosthenes compiled a handbook of astral mythology in which the constellations were associated with figures from legend, and myths were provided to explain how each person, creature, or object came to be placed in the sky. Thus we can see Heracles killing the Dragon, and Perseus slaying the sea-monster to save Andromeda; Orion chases the seven maidens transformed by Zeus into the Pleiades, and Aries, the golden ram, is identified flying up to the heavens. This translation brings together the later summaries from Eratosthenes' lost handbook with a guide to astronomy compiled by Hyginus, librarian to Augustus. Together with Aratus's astronomical poem the Phaenomena, these texts provide a complete collection of Greek astral myths; imaginative and picturesque, they also offer an intriguing insight into ancient science and culture. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

'Athena seized the writhing serpent and hurled it into the sky, and fixed it to the very pole of the heavens.' The constellations we recognize today were first mapped by the ancient Greeks, who arranged the stars into patterns for that purpose. In the third century BC Eratosthenes compiled a handbook of astral mythology in which the constellations were associated with figures from legend, and myths were provided to explain how each person, creature, or object came to be placed in the sky. Thus we can see Heracles killing the Dragon, and Perseus slaying the sea-monster to save Andromeda; Orion chases the seven maidens transformed by Zeus into the Pleiades, and Aries, the golden ram, is identified flying up to the heavens. This translation brings together the later summaries from Eratosthenes' lost handbook with a guide to astronomy compiled by Hyginus, librarian to Augustus. Together with Aratus's astronomical poem the Phaenomena, these texts provide a complete collection of Greek astral myths; imaginative and picturesque, they also offer an intriguing insight into ancient science and culture. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Oxford Handbook of Surgical Nursing by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book The Humans Who Went Extinct:Why Neanderthals died out and we survived by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book Deserts: A Very Short Introduction by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book Adult Nursing Practice by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book Music therapy in mental health for illness management and recovery by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book The Structure of Pluralism by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book The Emperor of Law by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book Berlin Tales by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book The Role of Climate Change in Global Economic Governance by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book Pleadings Without Tears by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book Oxford Handbook of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book The Russian Revolution by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book Concepts of Epidemiology by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book Inventing the Schlieffen Plan by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Percy Bysshe Shelley by Eratosthenes, Hyginus, Aratus
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy