Aquila - Revision history

Sushoff: /* Origin of constellation */

2026-02-26T11:33:57Z

Origin of constellation

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:33, 26 February 2026
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	The constellation of The Eagle [[TE8.mušen\|<sup>mul</sup>TE<sub>8</sub>]] is listed in the Mesopotamian creation myth "Enuma Anu Enlil", in Astrolab P and Astrolab B, and in MUL.APIN's first list, all dating to the 2nd millennium BCE.		The constellation of The Eagle [[TE8.mušen\|<sup>mul</sup>TE<sub>8</sub>]] is listed in the Mesopotamian creation myth "Enuma Anu Enlil", in Astrolab P and Astrolab B, and in MUL.APIN's first list, all dating to the 2nd millennium BCE.

	=== Graeco-Roman constellation ===		==== Babylonian ====
			see

			* The Eagle [[TE8.mušen\|<sup>mul</sup>TE<sub>8</sub>]]

			==== Graeco-Roman constellation ====

	===== Aratos =====		===== Aratos =====

IanRidpath: Copyedit

2026-02-24T19:21:57Z

Copyedit

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:21, 24 February 2026
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	[[File:Aquila IAU.svg\|thumb\|Aquila as IAU constellation in the borders of 1930s, IAU & S&T. ]]		[[File:Aquila IAU.svg\|thumb\|Aquila as IAU constellation in the borders of 1930s, IAU & S&T. ]]
	[[File:KugelGlobe Sge.JPG\|thumb\|Earliest known depiction of Cyg, Lyr, Del, Aql and Sge on the Kugel Globe (1st century BCE), SMH 2024.]]		[[File:KugelGlobe Sge.JPG\|thumb\|Earliest known depiction of Cyg, Lyr, Del, Aql and Sge on the Kugel Globe (1st century BCE), SMH 2024.]]
	Aquila, ~~The~~ Eagle, is one of the official IAU-constellations. Its history goes back to a Sumerian ~~constellations~~ ([[TE8.mušen\|TI<sub>8</sub><sup>muš</sup>]]<sup>en</sup>, The Eagle or The Vulture) in the same area of the sky. In Babylonian uranography, the neighboring constellation is a corpse and in Ptolemy's Almagest, the asterism of [[Antinous]] (a recently ~~past~~ away and deified ~~favourit~~ of the Roman emperor) is split off.		Aquila, the Eagle, is one of the official IAU constellations. Its history goes back to a Sumerian constellation ([[TE8.mušen\|TI<sub>8</sub><sup>muš</sup>]]<sup>en</sup>, The Eagle or The Vulture) in the same area of the sky. In Babylonian uranography, the neighboring constellation is a corpse, and in Ptolemy's Almagest the asterism of [[Antinous]] (a recently passed away and deified favourite of the Roman emperor Hadrian) is split off.

	== Etymology and History ==		== Etymology and History ==
	"Aquila" is the Latin translation of the Ancient Greek term which is the translation of an Akkadian term which is the translation of a Sumerian term. It is unknown whether the Sumerians distinguished betwen eagles and vultures. The Greek term and mythology clearly refer to an eagle as a symbol of divine power. Still, the original Sumerian constellation might have had a different context: as it was placed next to the Sumerian constellation of The Corpse, the bird might have been considered a vulture.		"Aquila" is the Latin translation of the Ancient Greek term which is the translation of an Akkadian term which is the translation of a Sumerian term. It is unknown whether the Sumerians distinguished betwen eagles and vultures. The Greek term and mythology clearly refer to an eagle as a symbol of divine power. Still, the original Sumerian constellation might have had a different context: as it was placed next to the Sumerian constellation of The Corpse, the bird might have been considered a vulture.

	The confusion of the Eagle and the Vulture can be traced throughout all epochs. In medieval manuscripts ~~Aquilae~~ was also commonly known as "vultur volans", see [https://www.thesaxlproject.com/assets/Uploads/00-Aquila-Master-0-R-6-October-2023.pdf Saxl-Project] while similarly, the (originally Arabian) eagle in [[Lyra]] also got the Latin name "vultur cadens". These names are preserved in late-medieval European astrolabes, star catalogues and from the sixteenth-century onwards on celestial globes. See for example the celestial globe [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-233257345/view (1551) of Gerard Mercator]. The term "lucida vulturis" for Altair remained popular until far into the 17th century, and Bode's celestial atlas uses the German rhyme "der Geyer mit der Leyer" (the vulture with the lyre) for [[Lyra]].		The confusion of the Eagle and the Vulture can be traced throughout all epochs. In medieval manuscripts Aquila was also commonly known as "vultur volans", see [https://www.thesaxlproject.com/assets/Uploads/00-Aquila-Master-0-R-6-October-2023.pdf Saxl-Project] while similarly, the (originally Arabian) eagle in [[Lyra]] also got the Latin name "vultur cadens". These names are preserved in late-medieval European astrolabes, star catalogues and from the sixteenth-century onwards on celestial globes. See for example the celestial globe [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-233257345/view (1551) of Gerard Mercator]. The term "lucida vulturis" for Altair remained popular until far into the 17th century, and Bode's celestial atlas uses the German rhyme "der Geyer mit der Leyer" (the vulture with the lyre) for [[Lyra]].

	<ref name=":0" />However, the arrow is not depicted on the Farnese Globe, as some of the smaller constellations are missing there. There is also no room for it because the eagle is hanging upside down, its head resting on the brightest star and its feet pointing towards the swan: it looks as if the swan is pecking at the eagle's talons. Compared to the image we can draw using the Almagest star catalogue, this Greek eagle is rotated by 180°.		<ref name=":0" />However, the arrow is not depicted on the Farnese Globe, as some of the smaller constellations are missing there. There is also no room for it because the eagle is hanging upside down, its head resting on the brightest star and its feet pointing towards the swan: it looks as if the swan is pecking at the eagle's talons. Compared to the image we can draw using the Almagest star catalogue, this Greek eagle is rotated by 180°.
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	\|-		\|-
	\|26		\|26
	\|ω 1 Aquilae		\|ω<sup>1</sup> Aquilae
	\|HIP 94834		\|HIP 94834
	\|Inside the hull		\|Inside the hull
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	\|-		\|-
	\|55		\|55
	\|ω 2 Aquilae		\|ω<sup>2</sup> Aquilae
	\|HIP 95002		\|HIP 95002
	\|Inside the hull		\|Inside the hull

Sushoff: /* Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) */

2026-02-24T08:06:37Z

Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10)

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:06, 24 February 2026
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	===== Hipparchus =====		===== Hipparchus =====

	====== Rising (Lib II Cap V ~~§10~~) ======		====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §13) ======
	<blockquote>The Rising of Aquila ...</blockquote>		<blockquote>The Rising of Aquila ...</blockquote>
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
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	\|}		\|}

	====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI ~~§10~~) ======		====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §13) ======
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	!		!
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	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
	\|		\|Cap 16 1/2
	\|		\|Cap 23
	\|		\|Ari 2
	\|		\|Ari 8
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
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	\|-		\|-
	\|star		\|star
	\|		\|the two little ones in the wing
	\|		\|the northern one of the three bright ones in the body
	\|		\|
	\|		\|
	\|-		\|-
	\|duration		\|duration
	\| colspan="4" \|~~2 2~~/3 hours = ~~160~~ min = ~~40°~~		\| colspan="4" \|1/3 hours = 20 min = 5°
	\|}		\|}

Sushoff: /* Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) */

2026-02-23T16:24:54Z

Rising (Lib II Cap V §10)

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:24, 23 February 2026
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	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
	\|		\|Sgr 9
	\|		\|Sgr 13 1/2
	\|		\|Vir 24
	\|		\|Vir 29 1/2
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
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	\|-		\|-
	\|star		\|star
	\|		\|the northern one of the two small in the wings
	\|		\|the southern of the three bright ones in the body
	\|		\|
	\|		\|

Sushoff: /* Hipparchus */

2026-02-22T17:31:13Z

Hipparchus

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:31, 22 February 2026
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	===== Hipparchus =====		===== Hipparchus =====

			====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
			<blockquote>The Rising of Aquila ...</blockquote>
			{\| class="wikitable"
			\|+
			!
			! colspan="2" \|east
			! colspan="2" \|south
			\|-
			!
			!lam1
			!lam2
			!lam1
			!lam2
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|-
			\|star
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|-
			\|duration
			\| colspan="4" \|2 1/8 hours = 127.5 min = 31 7/8 degree
			\|}

			====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
			{\| class="wikitable"
			!
			! colspan="2" \|west
			! colspan="2" \|south
			\|-
			!
			!lam1
			!lam2
			!lam1
			!lam2
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|-
			\|star
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|-
			\|duration
			\| colspan="4" \|2 2/3 hours = 160 min = 40°
			\|}

			====== Stars Mentioned ======
			{\| class="wikitable"
			\|+
			!
			!Greek
			!German
			!English
			!ident.
			!src
			!
			!lam_culm
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|Lib II Cap V §10
			\|rising, east, first
			\|
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|Lib II Cap V §10
			\|rising, east, last
			\|
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|Lib II Cap VI §2
			\|setting CrB, south, last
			\|Psc 13.5
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|Lib II Cap VI §13
			\|setting Aql, south, first
			\|Ari 2
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|Lib III Cap I §9
			\|rising Ori, south, last
			\|Psc 13
			\|}

	===== Geminos =====		===== Geminos =====

Sushoff: /* Etymology and History */

2026-02-18T10:50:53Z

Etymology and History

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:50, 18 February 2026
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	The confusion of the Eagle and the Vulture can be traced throughout all epochs. In medieval manuscripts Aquilae was also commonly known as "vultur volans", see [https://www.thesaxlproject.com/assets/Uploads/00-Aquila-Master-0-R-6-October-2023.pdf Saxl-Project] while similarly, the (originally Arabian) eagle in [[Lyra]] also got the Latin name "vultur cadens". These names are preserved in late-medieval European astrolabes, star catalogues and from the sixteenth-century onwards on celestial globes. See for example the celestial globe [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-233257345/view (1551) of Gerard Mercator]. The term "lucida vulturis" for Altair remained popular until far into the 17th century, and Bode's celestial atlas uses the German rhyme "der Geyer mit der Leyer" (the vulture with the lyre) for [[Lyra]].		The confusion of the Eagle and the Vulture can be traced throughout all epochs. In medieval manuscripts Aquilae was also commonly known as "vultur volans", see [https://www.thesaxlproject.com/assets/Uploads/00-Aquila-Master-0-R-6-October-2023.pdf Saxl-Project] while similarly, the (originally Arabian) eagle in [[Lyra]] also got the Latin name "vultur cadens". These names are preserved in late-medieval European astrolabes, star catalogues and from the sixteenth-century onwards on celestial globes. See for example the celestial globe [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-233257345/view (1551) of Gerard Mercator]. The term "lucida vulturis" for Altair remained popular until far into the 17th century, and Bode's celestial atlas uses the German rhyme "der Geyer mit der Leyer" (the vulture with the lyre) for [[Lyra]].

	However, the arrow is not depicted on the Farnese Globe, as some of the smaller constellations are missing there. There is also no room for it because the eagle is hanging upside down, its head resting on the brightest star and its feet pointing towards the swan: it looks as if the swan is pecking at the eagle's talons. Compared to the image we can draw using the Almagest star catalogue, this Greek eagle is rotated by 180°.		<ref name=":0" />However, the arrow is not depicted on the Farnese Globe, as some of the smaller constellations are missing there. There is also no room for it because the eagle is hanging upside down, its head resting on the brightest star and its feet pointing towards the swan: it looks as if the swan is pecking at the eagle's talons. Compared to the image we can draw using the Almagest star catalogue, this Greek eagle is rotated by 180°.

	In fact, the constellation of the eagle can also be found in this position in the sky in Mesopotamian astronomy of the 2nd millennium BC. This suggests that the constellation was adopted into Greek culture from Babylon: although it does not belong to the zodiac, it is close to it and mythologically intertwined with Aquarius in the zodiac.		In fact, the constellation of the eagle can also be found in this position in the sky in Mesopotamian astronomy of the 2nd millennium BCE. This suggests that the constellation was adopted into Greek culture from Babylon: although it does not belong to the zodiac, it is close to it and mythologically intertwined with Aquarius in the zodiac.

	Interestingly, near the Babylonian eagle is the Babylonian constellation ‘Dead Man’ or ‘Corpse,’ which has no analogue in Greek. It may have been located in the area east of the star Atair in Aquila, but it is impossible to say for sure. It is possible that Babylonian uranography referred to the constellation Delphinus as the corpse. Alternatively, the corpse could also have been located further south, i.e. ‘below’ the eagle. Calculations of Babylonian constellations do not allow for an exact position in declination, but only an estimate of the area in right ascension.		Interestingly, near the Babylonian eagle is the Babylonian constellation ‘Dead Man’ or ‘Corpse,’ which has no analogue in Greek. It may have been located in the area east of the star Atair in Aquila, but it is impossible to say for sure. It is possible that Babylonian uranography referred to the constellation Delphinus as the corpse. Alternatively, the corpse could also have been located further south, i.e. ‘below’ the eagle. Calculations of Babylonian constellations do not allow for an exact position in declination, but only an estimate of the area in right ascension.

	One argument in favour of the southern variant is that Ptolemy simply renamed a group of stars in Aquila in his Almagest, calling them ‘Antinous’. This young man was a favourite of the contemporary Emperor Hadrian and could be stylised in modern terms as the constellation of homosexual love – although pederasty in ancient times had a different, more initiatory and educational character. All that is known about Antinous is that he drowned in the Nile in 130 AD for unknown reasons, whereupon a new cult was established throughout the Roman Empire: festivals were invented, temples built and other things done in his honour, so that his death by the astronomer in Alexandria comes as no surprise. However, he depicts him as a dead man carried by the (established) constellation Aquila. The figure of the double constellation ‘Aquila with Antinous’ in Ptolemy can be reconstructed from the star names and coordinates, and this eagle does not have outstretched wings, but flies from west to east. He is depicted in profile.		One argument in favour of the southern variant is that Ptolemy simply renamed a group of stars in Aquila in his Almagest, calling them ‘Antinous’. This young man was a favourite of the contemporary Emperor Hadrian and could be stylised in modern terms as the constellation of homosexual love – although pederasty in ancient times had a different, more initiatory and educational character. All that is known about Antinous is that he drowned in the Nile in 130 CE for unknown reasons, whereupon a new cult was established throughout the Roman Empire: festivals were invented, temples built and other things done in his honour, so that his death by the astronomer in Alexandria comes as no surprise. However, he depicts him as a dead man carried by the (established) constellation Aquila. The figure of the double constellation ‘Aquila with Antinous’ in Ptolemy can be reconstructed from the star names and coordinates, and this eagle does not have outstretched wings, but flies from west to east. He is depicted in profile.

	Since Ptolemy makes numerous references to direct Babylonian sources, for example by using data on solar and lunar eclipses from there, it cannot be ruled out that his Antinous corresponds to the Babylonian constellation of the corpse.		Since Ptolemy makes numerous references to direct Babylonian sources, for example by using data on solar and lunar eclipses from there, it cannot be ruled out that his Antinous corresponds to the Babylonian constellation of the corpse.

Sushoff: /* Greek Mythology */

2026-02-18T10:47:52Z

Greek Mythology

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:47, 18 February 2026
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	</gallery>		</gallery>

	== ~~Greek~~ Mythology ==		== Mythology ==

	=== Greek ===		=== Greek ===

Sushoff: /* Aratos */

2026-02-18T10:47:10Z

Aratos

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 The confusion of the Eagle and the Vulture can be traced throughout all epochs. In medieval manuscripts Aquilae was also commonly known as "vultur volans", see [https://www.thesaxlproject.com/assets/Uploads/00-Aquila-Master-0-R-6-October-2023.pdf Saxl-Project] while similarly, the (originally Arabian) eagle in [[Lyra]] also got the Latin name "vultur cadens". These names are preserved in late-medieval European astrolabes, star catalogues and from the sixteenth-century onwards on celestial globes. See for example the celestial globe [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-233257345/view (1551) of Gerard Mercator]. The term "lucida vulturis" for Altair remained popular until far into the 17th century, and Bode's celestial atlas uses the German rhyme "der Geyer mit der Leyer" (the vulture with the lyre) for [[Lyra]].
 === Origin of constellation ===
@@ Line 16: / Line 30: @@
 ===== Aratos =====
-<blockquote>[311] Ahead of the Archer is another Arrow lying all by itself without a bow. The Bird is outstretched beside it, nearer to the north. Close to it another bird is wafted, inferior in size, but stormy when it rises from the sea at the departure of night; and men call it the Eagle. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>
+<blockquote>[311] Ahead of the Archer is another Arrow lying all by itself without a bow. The Bird is outstretched beside it, nearer to the north. Close to it another bird is wafted, inferior in size, but stormy when it rises from the sea at the departure of night; and men call it the Eagle. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>The popular didactic poem by Aratos describes this bird as ‘dangerous when it emerges from the sea’ and calls it ‘the blown away’. Etymologically, this may be correct, but eagles do not emerge from the sea. The sentence therefore does not refer to the animal, but to the astronomy of the sunrise.<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>
 ===== Eratosthenes =====
 ===== Hipparchus =====
@@ Line 778: / Line 793: @@
 == Greek Mythology ==
 == Weblinks ==

YoulaAzkarrula: /* Ptolemy's Almagest Αετός. */

2026-02-06T10:42:59Z

Ptolemy's Almagest Αετός.

Show changes

Sushoff at 13:09, 20 January 2026

2026-01-20T13:09:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:09, 20 January 2026
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			Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
			----
	[[File:Aquila IAU.svg\|thumb\|Aquila as IAU constellation in the borders of 1930s, IAU & S&T. ]]		[[File:Aquila IAU.svg\|thumb\|Aquila as IAU constellation in the borders of 1930s, IAU & S&T. ]]
	[[File:KugelGlobe Sge.JPG\|thumb\|Earliest known depiction of Cyg, Lyr, Del, Aql and Sge on the Kugel Globe (1st century BCE), SMH 2024.]]		[[File:KugelGlobe Sge.JPG\|thumb\|Earliest known depiction of Cyg, Lyr, Del, Aql and Sge on the Kugel Globe (1st century BCE), SMH 2024.]]