
'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.
This collection investigates the origins and cultural significance of the Greek astral myths that mapped the night sky. The authors, including Eratosthenes and Hyginus, synthesize ancient astronomical observations with legendary narratives to explain the placement of figures and creatures among the stars. By compiling these foundational texts, the volume provides a framework for understanding how the Greeks integrated their mythological traditions into the physical study of the heavens.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts recognize this volume as a foundational resource for those studying the intersection of classical literature and early astronomy. Readers frequently note the academic utility of the scholarly introductions and notes provided by the Oxford World's Classics series.
Page Count:
288
Publication Date:
2015-01-01
Publisher:
Oup Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191026522
ISBN-13:
9780191026522
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