Ancient Greek Star Lore Part 4

Delphinus Here is the Greek myth as told by Ian Ridpath: "After Zeus, Poseidon and Hades had overthrown their father Cronus, they divided up the sky, the sea, and the underworld between them, with Poseidon inheriting the sea. He built himself a magnificent underwater palace off the island of Euboea. For all its opulence, the palace felt empty without a wife, so Poseidon set out in search of one. He courted Amphitrite, one of the group of sea nymphs called nereids, but she fled from his rough advances and took refuge among the other Nereids. Poseidon sent messengers after her, including a dolphin, which found her and with soothing gestures brought her back to the sea god, whom she subsequently married. In gratitude, Poseidon placed the image of the dolphin among the stars." Source:Ian Ridpath

Delphinus and Equuleus in "Uranographia" Joannes Hevelius, 1690 Source: Atlas Coelestis

Another Greek story links the dolphin to 7th century BC poet Arion of Lesbos, who was saved by a dolphin. Wikipedia tells us, that Arion "... was a court musician at the palace of Periander, ruler of Corinth. Arion had amassed a fortune during his travels to Sicily and Italy. On his way home from Tarentum his wealth caused the crew of his ship to conspire against him. Threatened with death, Arion asked to be granted a last wish which the crew granted: he wanted to sing a dirge. This he did, and while doing so, flung himself into the sea. There, he was rescued by a dolphin which had been charmed by Arion's music. The dolphin carried Arion to the coast of Greece and left." Source:Wikipedia

Arion riding a dolphin by Albrecht Dürer, circa. 1514 Source: Wikipedia

Eridanus In Greek mythology, Eridanus is the river carved by Phaethon. Phaethon took over the reins of his father Helios' sun chariot. He didn't have the strength to control it and so veered wildly in different directions, scorching both Earth and heaven until Zeus intervened and struck Phaethon with a thunderbolt. In the Roman version, written by Ovid, Phaeton fell into the River Po, which in Greek was called Eridanus. Source:Wikipedia Extended versions of the Phaeton myth can be found at Ian Ridpath and Wikipedia

Helios riding the Sun-Chariot Gigantomachy Relief, Pergamon Altar Picture by the author

Gemini In Greek mythology, the constellation represents the twins Gemini represents the mythical twins Kastor (Κάστωρ) and Polydeukes (Πολυδεύκης). Their names were later latinized to Castor and Pollux. Ian Ridpath provides a detailed story; here is a shortened version: The twins' mother Leda, Queen of Sparta, was one day visited by Zeus in the form of a swan (now represented by the constellation Cygnus). That same night she also slept with her husband, King Tyndareus. Both unions were fruitful, for Leda subsequently gave birth to four children. In the most commonly accepted version, Pollux and Helen (later to become famous as Helen of Troy) were children of Zeus, and hence immortal, while Castor and Clytemnestra were fathered by Tyndareus, and hence were mortal.

Castor & Pollux, Museo del Prado Source: Wikipedia

Castor and Pollux grew up the closest of friends, never quarreling or acting without consulting each other. Later, the twins joined Jason and the Argonauts and more than once saved the entire endeavor. After the return of the Argonautes, Castor and Pullux got into a feud with Idas and Lynceus, two brothers who also had been Argonautes. In a quarrel over two women, Castor was killed by Lynceus who was then killed by Pollux. When Idas then attacked Pollux, Zeus intervened to save his son and struck Idas with a lightning bolt.

Castor and Pollux in "Urania's Mirror", 1824 Source: Wikipedia

Pollux was immortal but Castor was destined for Tartarus after his death. Pollux asked Zeus to not to outlive his brother. Zeus granted the wish not to outlive his brother and allowed them to split their time in the heavens and under the Earth. To honor their brotherly love, he put an image of twins in the sky. An alternative view, reported by Hyginus, says that the constellation represents Apollo and Heracles (i.e. Hercules), both sons of Zeus but not twins. Several star charts personify the twins as Apollo and Heracles showing them a lyre and arrow (attributes of Apollo) and club (attribute of Heracles). Sources: Wikipedia, Ian Ridpath, Chandra Observatory Constellations site

Castor and Pollux, LeidenArathea", 816 Source: Wikimedia

Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion add that - as protectors of mariners - the twins were believed to appear in ship's rigging as the electrical phenomenon known as St. Elmo's Fire. Source: Ridpath and Tirion: Stars and Planets St. Elmo's Fire on the mast tops of a sailing vessel. Source: ownyourweather.com

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