Pleiades - Revision history

Sushoff: /* Babylonian */

2026-10-12T06:11:13Z

Babylonian

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:11, 12 October 2026
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	===Origin of Constellation===		===Origin of Constellation===
	==== Babylonian ====		==== Babylonian ====
	The standard name of the star in mathematical astronomy is a Sumerian loanword indicating an indefinite number of stars - loosely translated as ‘the star cluster’. However, the Old Babylonian font cuneiform sign has three stars for "MUL" which makes six for MUL.MUL (𒀯𒀯).		The standard name of the star in mathematical astronomy is a Sumerian loanword indicating an indefinite number of stars - loosely translated as ‘the star cluster’. However, the Old Babylonian font cuneiform sign has three stars for "MUL" which makes six for MUL.MUL (𒀯𒀯). Lexical lists equate this Sumerian term with Akkadian "''zappu''" which means "bristle" or "bunch of hair" and is not a literale translation of MUL.MUL; the two cuneiform languages, Sumerian and Akkadian, obviously have different names for the object; see:

			* [[MUL.MUL]]
			* [[Zappu\|''zappu'']]

	In MUL.APIN, which is already written in Akkadian, only this Sumerian name is used, but later astronomical texts of the -1st millennium pass on ‘the bristle hairs’ of the bull as the Akkadian name. In MUL.APIN, where (almost) all celestial bodies are assigned to a deity, the Pleiades are associated with the so-called Seven Gods. These are seven sacred weapons that can speak and are perceived as deities. They are sometimes associated with the underworld. A relatively recently discovered fragment of the Gilgamesh Epic fits in with this, according to which seven underworld deities are the sons of Gilgamesh's first defeated opponent and the historical fact that before the earthly king Gilgamesh (with G) there was a god of the dead called Bilgamesh (with B). He was one of seven underworld gods before the myth of the king eclipsed this figure in importance. To summarise: We don't know, but a connection between the number seven and an early Sumerian death cult is obvious.		In MUL.APIN, which is already written in Akkadian, only this Sumerian name is used, but later astronomical texts of the -1st millennium pass on ‘the bristle hairs’ of the bull as the Akkadian name. In MUL.APIN, where (almost) all celestial bodies are assigned to a deity, the Pleiades are associated with the so-called Seven Gods. These are seven sacred weapons that can speak and are perceived as deities. They are sometimes associated with the underworld. A relatively recently discovered fragment of the Gilgamesh Epic fits in with this, according to which seven underworld deities are the sons of Gilgamesh's first defeated opponent and the historical fact that before the earthly king Gilgamesh (with G) there was a god of the dead called Bilgamesh (with B). He was one of seven underworld gods before the myth of the king eclipsed this figure in importance. To summarise: We don't know, but a connection between the number seven and an early Sumerian death cult is obvious.

Sushoff at 13:00, 25 September 2026

2026-09-25T13:00:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:00, 25 September 2026
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	{{PAGEAUTHORS}}		Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
	----		----

Sushoff: /* Calendar Function */

2026-09-25T11:39:59Z

Calendar Function

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:39, 25 September 2026
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	File:AlleSchaltregelnMULAPIN Codices.png\|all leap rules in MUL.APIN - overview in Hoffmann and Hunger (2023)<ref name=":2" />.		File:AlleSchaltregelnMULAPIN Codices.png\|all leap rules in MUL.APIN - overview in Hoffmann and Hunger (2023)<ref name=":2" />.
	File:ErsteSchaltregelnMULAPIN options Codices.png\|First leap rule in MUL.APIN - options for the reconstruction (Hoffmann and Hunger 2023)<ref name=":2" />.		File:ErsteSchaltregelnMULAPIN options Codices.png\|First leap rule in MUL.APIN - options for the reconstruction (Hoffmann and Hunger 2023)<ref name=":2" />.
			File:LeapYear Ctrl MULAPIN vis smh2025.jpg\|Visualisation of control observations for the leap month in ancient Mesopotamia according to MUL.APIN (SMH 2025).
	</gallery>For the Phoenicians and Greeks, shipping between the numerous islands was of enormous importance. The Greeks therefore understood the name of the star ‘Pleias’ from πλέω (pleiu), meaning ‘to sail’, and Hesiod and Eratosthenes mention its significance as an indicator of the shipping season in the farming calendar.		</gallery>For the Phoenicians and Greeks, shipping between the numerous islands was of enormous importance. The Greeks therefore understood the name of the star ‘Pleias’ from πλέω (pleiu), meaning ‘to sail’, and Hesiod and Eratosthenes mention its significance as an indicator of the shipping season in the farming calendar.

Sushoff: /* Calendar Function */

2026-09-25T11:25:55Z

Calendar Function

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:25, 25 September 2026
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	The significance of the cluster in almost all cultures on Earth is related to its usefulness in several calendar functions: Due to the different length of the solar year (365 days) and the lunar year (354 days), a leap month had to be inserted approximately every three years in Mesopotamia, but regular leaping is only preserved in the later half of the first millennium. Before these leap years could be set regularly, the rising of bright stars was consistently observed.		The significance of the cluster in almost all cultures on Earth is related to its usefulness in several calendar functions: Due to the different length of the solar year (365 days) and the lunar year (354 days), a leap month had to be inserted approximately every three years in Mesopotamia, but regular leaping is only preserved in the later half of the first millennium. Before these leap years could be set regularly, the rising of bright stars was consistently observed.

	The Babylonian compendium MUL.APIN contains seven intercalation rules, among which three deal with the Pleiades.<ref name=":2">Hoffmann, S.M. & Hunger, H. (2023): Was steht in der ersten Schaltregel in MUL.APIN?, Codices Manuscripti & Impressi, Wien, 7-16</ref> The so-called '''''Pleiades leap rule''''' is '''''not''''' preserved in the original text (Hunger and Steele 2019,<ref name=":3">Hunger, H. and J. M. Steele (2019). The Babylonian Astronomical Compendium MUL.APIN, Routledge, New York</ref> ~~211~~-212), but it is possible to reconstruct the (broken) first rule in MUL.APIN as a predecessor of the Arab Pleiades leap rule, which says that a month must be inserted as soon as the Pleiades rise at the beginning of the third month (heliacal), as they should normally do so in the second month. Yet for MUL.APIN, it is also possible to reconstruct the broken line in different ways.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><gallery>		The Babylonian compendium MUL.APIN contains seven intercalation rules, among which three deal with the Pleiades.<ref name=":2">Hoffmann, S.M. & Hunger, H. (2023): Was steht in der ersten Schaltregel in MUL.APIN?, Codices Manuscripti & Impressi, Wien, 7-16</ref> The so-called '''''Pleiades leap rule''''' is '''''not''''' preserved in the original text (Hunger and Steele 2019,<ref name=":3">Hunger, H. and J. M. Steele (2019). The Babylonian Astronomical Compendium MUL.APIN, Routledge, New York</ref> 209-212), but it is possible to reconstruct the (broken) first rule in MUL.APIN as a predecessor of the Arab Pleiades leap rule, which says that a month must be inserted as soon as the Pleiades rise at the beginning of the third month (heliacal), as they should normally do so in the second month. Yet for MUL.APIN, it is also possible to reconstruct the broken line in different ways.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><gallery>
	File:AlleSchaltregelnMULAPIN Codices.png\|all leap rules in MUL.APIN - overview in Hoffmann and Hunger (2023)<ref name=":2" />.		File:AlleSchaltregelnMULAPIN Codices.png\|all leap rules in MUL.APIN - overview in Hoffmann and Hunger (2023)<ref name=":2" />.
	File:ErsteSchaltregelnMULAPIN options Codices.png\|First leap rule in MUL.APIN - options for the reconstruction (Hoffmann and Hunger 2023)<ref name=":2" />.		File:ErsteSchaltregelnMULAPIN options Codices.png\|First leap rule in MUL.APIN - options for the reconstruction (Hoffmann and Hunger 2023)<ref name=":2" />.

Sushoff at 11:20, 25 September 2026

2026-09-25T11:20:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:20, 25 September 2026
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	The significance of the cluster in almost all cultures on Earth is related to its usefulness in several calendar functions: Due to the different length of the solar year (365 days) and the lunar year (354 days), a leap month had to be inserted approximately every three years in Mesopotamia, but regular leaping is only preserved in the later half of the first millennium. Before these leap years could be set regularly, the rising of bright stars was consistently observed.		The significance of the cluster in almost all cultures on Earth is related to its usefulness in several calendar functions: Due to the different length of the solar year (365 days) and the lunar year (354 days), a leap month had to be inserted approximately every three years in Mesopotamia, but regular leaping is only preserved in the later half of the first millennium. Before these leap years could be set regularly, the rising of bright stars was consistently observed.

	The Babylonian compendium MUL.APIN contains seven intercalation rules, among which three deal with the Pleiades.<ref name=":2">Hoffmann, S.M. & Hunger, H. (2023): Was steht in der ersten Schaltregel in MUL.APIN?, Codices Manuscripti & Impressi, Wien, 7-16</ref> The so-called '''''Pleiades leap rule''''' is '''''not''''' preserved in the original text (Hunger and Steele 2019,<ref name=":3">Hunger, H. and J. M. Steele (2019). The Babylonian Astronomical Compendium MUL.APIN, Routledge, New York</ref> 211-212), but it is possible to reconstruct the (broken) first rule in MUL.APIN as a predecessor of the Arab Pleiades leap rule, which says that a month must be inserted as soon as the Pleiades rise at the beginning of the third month (heliacal), as they should normally do so in the second month. Yet for MUL.APIN, it is also possible to reconstruct the broken line in different ways.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />		The Babylonian compendium MUL.APIN contains seven intercalation rules, among which three deal with the Pleiades.<ref name=":2">Hoffmann, S.M. & Hunger, H. (2023): Was steht in der ersten Schaltregel in MUL.APIN?, Codices Manuscripti & Impressi, Wien, 7-16</ref> The so-called '''''Pleiades leap rule''''' is '''''not''''' preserved in the original text (Hunger and Steele 2019,<ref name=":3">Hunger, H. and J. M. Steele (2019). The Babylonian Astronomical Compendium MUL.APIN, Routledge, New York</ref> 211-212), but it is possible to reconstruct the (broken) first rule in MUL.APIN as a predecessor of the Arab Pleiades leap rule, which says that a month must be inserted as soon as the Pleiades rise at the beginning of the third month (heliacal), as they should normally do so in the second month. Yet for MUL.APIN, it is also possible to reconstruct the broken line in different ways.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><gallery>
			File:AlleSchaltregelnMULAPIN Codices.png\|all leap rules in MUL.APIN - overview in Hoffmann and Hunger (2023)<ref name=":2" />.
			File:ErsteSchaltregelnMULAPIN options Codices.png\|First leap rule in MUL.APIN - options for the reconstruction (Hoffmann and Hunger 2023)<ref name=":2" />.
			</gallery>For the Phoenicians and Greeks, shipping between the numerous islands was of enormous importance. The Greeks therefore understood the name of the star ‘Pleias’ from πλέω (pleiu), meaning ‘to sail’, and Hesiod and Eratosthenes mention its significance as an indicator of the shipping season in the farming calendar.

	~~For the Phoenicians and Greeks, shipping between the numerous islands was of enormous importance.~~ The ~~Greeks therefore understood the~~ name ~~of the star ‘Pleias’ from πλέω~~ (~~pleiu~~)~~, meaning ‘to sail’, and Hesiod and Eratosthenes mention its significance as an indicator of the shipping season in the farming calendar.~~		The alternative name ‘Heptaster’ (seven stars) is also documented by Eratosthenes, who states: ‘One does not see seven stars, but only six.’ Aratus, likewise, claims, ‘Seven in number they are in the lore of men, although there are only six apparent to the eye. No star at all has been lost from our ken in Zeus since our oral tradition began.’ Hence, Greek mythology invents an unconvincing story of seven sisters, one of whom hid or left the group. Although the sisters have proper names in mythology, these names were not applied to the stars of the star cluster in ancient times. The modern naming is also confusing because two of the free-eyed stars were named after their parents, Pleione and Atlas.

	~~The alternative name ‘Pleiades’~~ is also documented by Eratosthenes, who states: ‘One does not see seven stars, but only six.’ Aratus, likewise, claims, ‘Seven in number they are in the lore of men, although there are only six apparent to the eye. No star at all has been lost from our ken in Zeus since our oral tradition began.’ Hence, Greek mythology invents an unconvincing story of seven sisters, one of whom hid or left the group. Although the sisters have proper names in mythology, these names were not applied to the stars of the star cluster in ancient times. The modern naming is also confusing because two of the free-eyed stars were named after their parents, Pleione and Atlas.

	===Origin of Constellation===		===Origin of Constellation===

Sushoff at 11:14, 25 September 2026

2026-09-25T11:14:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:14, 25 September 2026
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	[[File:Fig7 taurueschen 800dpi.jpg\|thumb\|The Pleiades as drawn on VAT 7851 are the six (plus two smaller) bristles on the hump of Taurus, the Bull.]]		[[File:Fig7 taurueschen 800dpi.jpg\|thumb\|The Pleiades as drawn on VAT 7851 are the six (plus two smaller) bristles on the hump of Taurus, the Bull.]]
	[[File:Plej+hyad smh2025 4gif.gif\|thumb\|Hyades and Pleiades as observed in central Europe (photo and animation SMH)]]		[[File:Plej+hyad smh2025 4gif.gif\|thumb\|Hyades and Pleiades as observed in central Europe (photo and animation SMH)]]
	~~The term~~ "Pleiades" derives from ~~Greek~~ πλέω (pleiu), meaning ‘to sail’. In the Mediterranean, the sailing season (gentle winds and warm weather) was given from the heliacal rise to the opposition of this star cluster. The association of "seven" with the cluster is of unknown origin, but it is a fact that (a) Greek mythology created a tale of seven daughters of the nymph Pleione (the sailing nymph), that (b) Mesopotamian religions even before this had associated seven (male) gods with the cluster, and that (c) Indian religion considers them the seven nurses of Lord Shiva's baby.<ref name=":0" />		"Pleiades" is the common name for the open star cluster M45. The name is ancient Greek; it derives from πλέω (pleiu), meaning ‘to sail’. In the Mediterranean, the sailing season (gentle winds and warm weather) was given from the heliacal rise to the opposition of this star cluster. The association of "seven" with the cluster is of unknown origin, but it is a fact that (a) Greek mythology created a tale of seven daughters of the nymph Pleione (the sailing nymph), that (b) Mesopotamian religions even before this had associated seven (male) gods with the cluster, and that (c) Indian religion considers them the seven nurses of Lord Shiva's baby.<ref name=":0" />

	However, the number "seven" has never been part of the ''name'' of the cluster (unlike modern English); ancient depictions always show six stars which are connected to seven deities - except the Maori star lore which sees nine (deified?) stars with sacred realms.<ref name=":0">Susanne M. Hoffmann,* Khalid AlAjaji, B.S. Shylaja, Yang Boshun, Danielle Adams, Eric Mamajek, Ian Ridpath, Paul Baki, Juan Antonio Belmonte Avilés, Sze-Leung Cheung, Daniel Cunnama, Jörg Matthias Determann, M. Sadegh Faghanpour, Steven Gullberg, Duane Hamacher, Roland Laffitte, Alejandro M. López, Javier Mejuto, Thierry Montmerle, Clive Ruggles, Shi Yunli, Doris Vickers, Sun Xiaochun, and Hitoshi Yamaoka (2025). The IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN): '''Research Finds in 2025'''. ''Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage'', 28(4), 1026–1038 (2025).</ref>		However, the number "seven" has never been part of the ''name'' of the cluster (unlike modern English "Seven Sisters"); ancient depictions always show six stars which are connected to seven deities - except the Maori star lore which sees nine (deified?) stars with sacred realms.<ref name=":0">Susanne M. Hoffmann,* Khalid AlAjaji, B.S. Shylaja, Yang Boshun, Danielle Adams, Eric Mamajek, Ian Ridpath, Paul Baki, Juan Antonio Belmonte Avilés, Sze-Leung Cheung, Daniel Cunnama, Jörg Matthias Determann, M. Sadegh Faghanpour, Steven Gullberg, Duane Hamacher, Roland Laffitte, Alejandro M. López, Javier Mejuto, Thierry Montmerle, Clive Ruggles, Shi Yunli, Doris Vickers, Sun Xiaochun, and Hitoshi Yamaoka (2025). The IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN): '''Research Finds in 2025'''. ''Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage'', 28(4), 1026–1038 (2025).</ref>

	== Etymology and History ==		== Etymology and History ==
	The significance of the cluster in almost all cultures on Earth is related to its usefulness in several calendar functions: Due to the different length of the solar year (365 days) and the lunar year (354 days), a leap month had to be inserted approximately every three years in Mesopotamia. Before these leap years could be set regularly, the rising of bright stars was consistently observed. The so-called Pleiades leap rule in MUL.APIN ~~states~~ that a month must be inserted as soon as the Pleiades rise at the beginning of the third month (heliacal), as they should normally do so in the second month. ~~This switching rule was~~ also ~~handed down~~ in ~~the Arab world~~.
			=== Calendar Function ===
			The significance of the cluster in almost all cultures on Earth is related to its usefulness in several calendar functions: Due to the different length of the solar year (365 days) and the lunar year (354 days), a leap month had to be inserted approximately every three years in Mesopotamia, but regular leaping is only preserved in the later half of the first millennium. Before these leap years could be set regularly, the rising of bright stars was consistently observed.

			The Babylonian compendium MUL.APIN contains seven intercalation rules, among which three deal with the Pleiades.<ref name=":2">Hoffmann, S.M. & Hunger, H. (2023): Was steht in der ersten Schaltregel in MUL.APIN?, Codices Manuscripti & Impressi, Wien, 7-16</ref> The so-called '''''Pleiades leap rule''''' is '''''not''''' preserved in the original text (Hunger and Steele 2019,<ref name=":3">Hunger, H. and J. M. Steele (2019). The Babylonian Astronomical Compendium MUL.APIN, Routledge, New York</ref> 211-212), but it is possible to reconstruct the (broken) first rule in MUL.APIN as a predecessor of the Arab Pleiades leap rule, which says that a month must be inserted as soon as the Pleiades rise at the beginning of the third month (heliacal), as they should normally do so in the second month. Yet for MUL.APIN, it is also possible to reconstruct the broken line in different ways.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />

	For the Phoenicians and Greeks, shipping between the numerous islands was of enormous importance. The Greeks therefore understood the name of the star ‘Pleias’ from πλέω (pleiu), meaning ‘to sail’, and Hesiod and Eratosthenes mention its significance as an indicator of the shipping season in the farming calendar.		For the Phoenicians and Greeks, shipping between the numerous islands was of enormous importance. The Greeks therefore understood the name of the star ‘Pleias’ from πλέω (pleiu), meaning ‘to sail’, and Hesiod and Eratosthenes mention its significance as an indicator of the shipping season in the farming calendar.

Sushoff: /* Eratosthenes */

2026-08-24T12:16:29Z

Eratosthenes

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:16, 24 August 2026
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	Var 1 (after Perseus: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1">Pamìas, Jordi und Zucker, Arnaud (2013). Ératosthènes de Cyrène: Catastérrismes, Belles Lettres, Paris</ref> 72)<blockquote>It is located on what is known as the break in the bull's spine. It consists of a cluster of seven stars, which are said to be the daughters of Atlas, which is why it is also called ‘Heptaster’ (The Seven Stars). However, we cannot see seven, but only six, and this is roughly how it is explained: it is said that six of them united with gods, and one with a mortal. Three united with Zeus: '''Electra''', who gave birth to Dardanos, '''Maia''', who gave birth to Hermes, and '''Taygetes''', who gave birth to Lacedaemon; two were united with Poseidon: '''Alcyone''', who gave birth to Hyrie, and '''Kelaeno''', who gave birth to Lycos; as for '''Sterope''', it is said that she was united with Ares, and from her was born Oinomaos. But '''Merope''' united herself with a mortal, Sisyphus, and for this reason she is completely invisible. They enjoy great popularity among men because they give indications of the change of season. </blockquote>Pamias and Zucker add the ~~line~~ in paratheses: "[According to Hipparchus, they are admirably arranged and form a triangular figure]", which is impossible to stem from Eratosthenes because Hipparchus lived a century later.		Var 1 (after Perseus: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1">Pamìas, Jordi und Zucker, Arnaud (2013). Ératosthènes de Cyrène: Catastérrismes, Belles Lettres, Paris</ref> 72)<blockquote>It is located on what is known as the break in the bull's spine. It consists of a cluster of seven stars, which are said to be the daughters of Atlas, which is why it is also called ‘Heptaster’ (The Seven Stars). However, we cannot see seven, but only six, and this is roughly how it is explained: it is said that six of them united with gods, and one with a mortal. Three united with Zeus: '''Electra''', who gave birth to Dardanos, '''Maia''', who gave birth to Hermes, and '''Taygetes''', who gave birth to Lacedaemon; two were united with Poseidon: '''Alcyone''', who gave birth to Hyrie, and '''Kelaeno''', who gave birth to Lycos; as for '''Sterope''', it is said that she was united with Ares, and from her was born Oinomaos. But '''Merope''' united herself with a mortal, Sisyphus, and for this reason she is completely invisible. They enjoy great popularity among men because they give indications of the change of season. </blockquote>Pamias and Zucker add the sentence in paratheses: "[According to Hipparchus, they are admirably arranged and form a triangular figure]", which is impossible to stem from Eratosthenes because Hipparchus lived a century later. This addition is preserved in the Epitome.


	Var 2 (in [[Taurus]]: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1" /> 45-47)<blockquote>At the break in the image of Taurus, at the height of the back, is the Pleiades, which has seven stars, which is why it is also called the ‘Heptaster’ (seven stars). In reality, only six are visible, as the seventh is completely dim.</blockquote>		Var 2 (in [[Taurus]]: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1" /> 45-47)<blockquote>At the break in the image of Taurus, at the height of the back, is the Pleiades, which has seven stars, which is why it is also called the ‘Heptaster’ (seven stars). In reality, only six are visible, as the seventh is completely dim.</blockquote>

Sushoff: /* Eratosthenes */

2026-08-24T12:13:16Z

Eratosthenes

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:13, 24 August 2026
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	according to the reconstruction of the Greek text by Pamias and Zucker (2013)		according to the reconstruction of the Greek text by Pamias and Zucker (2013)

	Var 1 (after Perseus: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1">Pamìas, Jordi und Zucker, Arnaud (2013). Ératosthènes de Cyrène: Catastérrismes, Belles Lettres, Paris</ref> 72)<blockquote>It is located on what is known as the break in the bull's spine. It consists of a cluster of seven stars, which are said to be the daughters of Atlas, which is why it is also called ‘Heptaster’ (The Seven Stars). However, we cannot see seven, but only six, and this is roughly how it is explained: it is said that six of them united with gods, and one with a mortal. Three united with Zeus: '''Electra''', who gave birth to Dardanos, '''Maia''', who gave birth to Hermes, and '''Taygetes''', who gave birth to Lacedaemon; two were united with Poseidon: '''Alcyone''', who gave birth to Hyrie, and '''Kelaeno''', who gave birth to Lycos; as for '''Sterope''', it is said that she was united with Ares, and from her was born Oinomaos. But '''Merope''' united herself with a mortal, Sisyphus, and for this reason she is completely invisible. They enjoy great popularity among men because they give indications of the change of season.

	Pamias and Zucker add the line in paratheses: "[According to Hipparchus, they are admirably arranged and form a triangular figure]", which is impossible to stem from Eratosthenes because Hipparchus lived a century later. ~~</blockquote>~~Var 2 (in [[Taurus]]: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1" /> 45-47)<blockquote>At the break in the image of Taurus, at the height of the back, is the Pleiades, which has seven stars, which is why it is also called the ‘Heptaster’ (seven stars). In reality, only six are visible, as the seventh is completely dim.</blockquote>
			Var 1 (after Perseus: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1">Pamìas, Jordi und Zucker, Arnaud (2013). Ératosthènes de Cyrène: Catastérrismes, Belles Lettres, Paris</ref> 72)<blockquote>It is located on what is known as the break in the bull's spine. It consists of a cluster of seven stars, which are said to be the daughters of Atlas, which is why it is also called ‘Heptaster’ (The Seven Stars). However, we cannot see seven, but only six, and this is roughly how it is explained: it is said that six of them united with gods, and one with a mortal. Three united with Zeus: '''Electra''', who gave birth to Dardanos, '''Maia''', who gave birth to Hermes, and '''Taygetes''', who gave birth to Lacedaemon; two were united with Poseidon: '''Alcyone''', who gave birth to Hyrie, and '''Kelaeno''', who gave birth to Lycos; as for '''Sterope''', it is said that she was united with Ares, and from her was born Oinomaos. But '''Merope''' united herself with a mortal, Sisyphus, and for this reason she is completely invisible. They enjoy great popularity among men because they give indications of the change of season. </blockquote>Pamias and Zucker add the line in paratheses: "[According to Hipparchus, they are admirably arranged and form a triangular figure]", which is impossible to stem from Eratosthenes because Hipparchus lived a century later.

			Var 2 (in [[Taurus]]: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1" /> 45-47)<blockquote>At the break in the image of Taurus, at the height of the back, is the Pleiades, which has seven stars, which is why it is also called the ‘Heptaster’ (seven stars). In reality, only six are visible, as the seventh is completely dim.</blockquote>

Sushoff: /* Eratosthenes */

2026-08-24T12:12:41Z

Eratosthenes

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:12, 24 August 2026
Line 30:		Line 30:
	according to the reconstruction of the Greek text by Pamias and Zucker (2013)		according to the reconstruction of the Greek text by Pamias and Zucker (2013)

	Var 1 (after Perseus: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1">Pamìas, Jordi und Zucker, Arnaud (2013). Ératosthènes de Cyrène: Catastérrismes, Belles Lettres, Paris</ref> 72)<blockquote>It is located on what is known as the break in the bull's spine. It consists of a cluster of seven stars, which are said to be the daughters of Atlas, which is why it is also called ‘Heptaster’ (The Seven Stars). However, we cannot see seven, but only six, and this is roughly how it is explained: it is said that six of them united with gods, and one with a mortal. Three united with Zeus: '''Electra''', who gave birth to Dardanos, '''Maia''', who gave birth to Hermes, and '''Taygetes''', who gave birth to Lacedaemon; two were united with Poseidon: '''Alcyone''', who gave birth to Hyrie, and '''Kelaeno''', who gave birth to Lycos; as for '''Sterope''', it is said that she was united with Ares, and from her was born Oinomaos. But '''Merope''' united herself with a mortal, Sisyphus, and for this reason she is completely invisible. They enjoy great popularity among men because they give indications of the change of season. [According to Hipparchus, they are admirably arranged and form a triangular figure] </blockquote>Var 2 (in [[Taurus]]: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1" /> 45-47)<blockquote>At the break in the image of Taurus, at the height of the back, is the Pleiades, which has seven stars, which is why it is also called the ‘Heptaster’ (seven stars). In reality, only six are visible, as the seventh is completely dim.</blockquote>		Var 1 (after Perseus: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1">Pamìas, Jordi und Zucker, Arnaud (2013). Ératosthènes de Cyrène: Catastérrismes, Belles Lettres, Paris</ref> 72)<blockquote>It is located on what is known as the break in the bull's spine. It consists of a cluster of seven stars, which are said to be the daughters of Atlas, which is why it is also called ‘Heptaster’ (The Seven Stars). However, we cannot see seven, but only six, and this is roughly how it is explained: it is said that six of them united with gods, and one with a mortal. Three united with Zeus: '''Electra''', who gave birth to Dardanos, '''Maia''', who gave birth to Hermes, and '''Taygetes''', who gave birth to Lacedaemon; two were united with Poseidon: '''Alcyone''', who gave birth to Hyrie, and '''Kelaeno''', who gave birth to Lycos; as for '''Sterope''', it is said that she was united with Ares, and from her was born Oinomaos. But '''Merope''' united herself with a mortal, Sisyphus, and for this reason she is completely invisible. They enjoy great popularity among men because they give indications of the change of season.

			Pamias and Zucker add the line in paratheses: "[According to Hipparchus, they are admirably arranged and form a triangular figure]", which is impossible to stem from Eratosthenes because Hipparchus lived a century later. </blockquote>Var 2 (in [[Taurus]]: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1" /> 45-47)<blockquote>At the break in the image of Taurus, at the height of the back, is the Pleiades, which has seven stars, which is why it is also called the ‘Heptaster’ (seven stars). In reality, only six are visible, as the seventh is completely dim.</blockquote>

Sushoff: /* Eratosthenes */

2026-08-24T12:10:18Z

Eratosthenes

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:10, 24 August 2026
Line 30:		Line 30:
	according to the reconstruction of the Greek text by Pamias and Zucker (2013)		according to the reconstruction of the Greek text by Pamias and Zucker (2013)

	Var 1 (after Perseus: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1">Pamìas, Jordi und Zucker, Arnaud (2013). Ératosthènes de Cyrène: Catastérrismes, Belles Lettres, Paris</ref> 72)<blockquote>It is located on what is known as the break in the bull's spine. It consists of a cluster of seven stars, which are said to be the daughters of Atlas, which is why it is also called ‘Heptaster’ (The Seven Stars). However, we cannot see seven, but only six, and this is roughly how it is explained: it is said that six of them united with gods, and one with a mortal. Three united with Zeus:		Var 1 (after Perseus: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1">Pamìas, Jordi und Zucker, Arnaud (2013). Ératosthènes de Cyrène: Catastérrismes, Belles Lettres, Paris</ref> 72)<blockquote>It is located on what is known as the break in the bull's spine. It consists of a cluster of seven stars, which are said to be the daughters of Atlas, which is why it is also called ‘Heptaster’ (The Seven Stars). However, we cannot see seven, but only six, and this is roughly how it is explained: it is said that six of them united with gods, and one with a mortal. Three united with Zeus: '''Electra''', who gave birth to Dardanos, '''Maia''', who gave birth to Hermes, and '''Taygetes''', who gave birth to Lacedaemon; two were united with Poseidon: '''Alcyone''', who gave birth to Hyrie, and '''Kelaeno''', who gave birth to Lycos; as for '''Sterope''', it is said that she was united with Ares, and from her was born Oinomaos. But '''Merope''' united herself with a mortal, Sisyphus, and for this reason she is completely invisible. They enjoy great popularity among men because they give indications of the change of season. [According to Hipparchus, they are admirably arranged and form a triangular figure] </blockquote>Var 2 (in [[Taurus]]: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1" /> 45-47)<blockquote>At the break in the image of Taurus, at the height of the back, is the Pleiades, which has seven stars, which is why it is also called the ‘Heptaster’ (seven stars). In reality, only six are visible, as the seventh is completely dim.</blockquote>

	Electra, who gave birth to Dardanos, Maia, who gave birth to Hermes, and Taygetes, who gave birth to Lacedaemon; two were united with Poseidon: Alcyone, who gave birth to Hyrie, and Kelaeno, who gave birth to Lycos; as for Sterope, it is said that she was united with Ares, and from her was born Oinomaos. But Merope united herself with a mortal, Sisyphus, and for this reason she is completely invisible. They enjoy great popularity among men because they give indications of the change of season. [According to Hipparchus, they are admirably arranged and form a triangular figure] </blockquote>Var 2 (in [[Taurus]]: Pamias and Zucker (2013,<ref name=":1" /> 45-47)<blockquote>At the break in the image of Taurus, at the height of the back, is the Pleiades, which has seven stars, which is why it is also called the ‘Heptaster’ (seven stars). In reality, only six are visible, as the seventh is completely dim.</blockquote>


Line 53:		Line 51:
	\| 385		\| 385
	\| 2		\| 2
	\| ~~Dardanos~~		\| Taygetes
	\| Atlas, 27 Tau		\| Atlas, 27 Tau
	\| 17847		\| 17847
Line 82:		Line 80:
	\| 6		\| 6
	\| Sterope		\| Sterope
	\| ~~Taygeta~~ (q Tau)		\| (q Tau)
	\| 17531		\| 17531
	\| 2		\| 2