Taurus - Revision history

Sushoff: /* Etymology and History */

2026-09-26T17:29:55Z

Etymology and History

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:29, 26 September 2026
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	[[File:TauAll+year.jpg\|thumb\|Mesopotamian terms in the sign of Taurus; the diagram shows that the terminology was changed around 320±10 BCE (Hoffmann and Hunger 2024).<ref name=":2">Hoffmann, S. M. and Hunger, H. (2024). Terminology in Taurus, The Bull. Nouvelles Assyriologiques Brèves et Utilitaires, 4, 121</ref>]]		[[File:TauAll+year.jpg\|thumb\|Mesopotamian terms in the sign of Taurus; the diagram shows that the terminology was changed around 320±10 BCE (Hoffmann and Hunger 2024).<ref name=":2">Hoffmann, S. M. and Hunger, H. (2024). Terminology in Taurus, The Bull. Nouvelles Assyriologiques Brèves et Utilitaires, 4, 121</ref>]]
	[[File:Fig1 taurus tablet 150dpi sciLogs.jpg\|thumb\|Taurus sign with drawings of Pleiades (Bristle), Hyades (Chariot), Bull, and the Moon during a total lunar eclipse in the Moon's hypsoma; [https://recherche.smb.museum/detail/1973695/astronomische-tafel VAT 7851], drawing by Hoffmann (2025)<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2025). Image Analysis of VAT 7851, [https://orientalistik.univie.ac.at/publikationen/afo/ Archiv für Orientforschung (AfO)] 56, 45-53</ref> ]]		[[File:Fig1 taurus tablet 150dpi sciLogs.jpg\|thumb\|Taurus sign with drawings of Pleiades (Bristle), Hyades (Chariot), Bull, and the Moon during a total lunar eclipse in the Moon's hypsoma; [https://recherche.smb.museum/detail/1973695/astronomische-tafel VAT 7851], drawing by Hoffmann (2025)<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2025). Image Analysis of VAT 7851, [https://orientalistik.univie.ac.at/publikationen/afo/ Archiv für Orientforschung (AfO)] 56, 45-53</ref> ]]
	The shape of a bull is quite easily recognisable in the sky in this asterism. Two open star clusters stand out prominently: the Hyades and the Pleiades.<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> They are sometimes seen as the pillars of a gate through which the sun, moon and planets pass. By adding further stars, they become the figure of half a bull. Greek mythology explains the absence of the back of the bull by the fact that it is swimming.		The shape of a bull is quite easily recognisable in the sky in this asterism. Two open star clusters stand out prominently: the [[Hyades]] and the [[Pleiades]].<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> They are sometimes seen as the pillars of a gate through which the sun, moon and planets pass. By adding further stars, they become the figure of half a bull. Greek mythology explains the absence of the back of the bull by the fact that it is swimming.

	In reality, of course, the zodiacal constellation – like all the others – is taken from Mesopotamia.		In reality, of course, the zodiacal constellation – like all the others – is taken from Mesopotamia.

Sushoff at 17:28, 26 September 2026

2026-09-26T17:28:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:28, 26 September 2026
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	==Etymology and History==		==Etymology and History==
	[[File:Fig7 taurueschen 800dpi.jpg\|thumb\|Taurus as drawn on a clay tablet ([https://recherche.smb.museum/detail/1973695/astronomische-tafel VAT 7851]) from Seleucid time, new drawing published by Hoffmann (2025)<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2025). Image Analysis of VAT 7851, [https://orientalistik.univie.ac.at/publikationen/afo/ Archiv für Orientforschung (AfO)] 56, 45-53</ref>.]]		[[File:Fig7 taurueschen 800dpi.jpg\|thumb\|Taurus as drawn on a clay tablet ([https://recherche.smb.museum/detail/1973695/astronomische-tafel VAT 7851]) from Seleucid time, new drawing published by Hoffmann (2025)<ref name=":1">Hoffmann, S.M. (2025). Image Analysis of VAT 7851, [https://orientalistik.univie.ac.at/publikationen/afo/ Archiv für Orientforschung (AfO)] 56, 45-53</ref>.]]
	[[File:TauAll+year.jpg\|thumb\|Mesopotamian terms in the sign of Taurus; the diagram shows that the terminology was changed around 320±10 BCE (Hoffmann and Hunger 2024).<ref>Hoffmann, S. M. and Hunger, H. (2024). Terminology in Taurus, The Bull. Nouvelles Assyriologiques Brèves et Utilitaires, 4, 121</ref>]]		[[File:TauAll+year.jpg\|thumb\|Mesopotamian terms in the sign of Taurus; the diagram shows that the terminology was changed around 320±10 BCE (Hoffmann and Hunger 2024).<ref name=":2">Hoffmann, S. M. and Hunger, H. (2024). Terminology in Taurus, The Bull. Nouvelles Assyriologiques Brèves et Utilitaires, 4, 121</ref>]]
	[[File:Fig1 taurus tablet 150dpi sciLogs.jpg\|thumb\|Taurus sign with drawings of Pleiades (Bristle), Hyades (Chariot), Bull, and the Moon during a total lunar eclipse in the Moon's hypsoma; [https://recherche.smb.museum/detail/1973695/astronomische-tafel VAT 7851], drawing by Hoffmann (2025)<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2025). Image Analysis of VAT 7851, [https://orientalistik.univie.ac.at/publikationen/afo/ Archiv für Orientforschung (AfO)] 56, 45-53</ref> ]]		[[File:Fig1 taurus tablet 150dpi sciLogs.jpg\|thumb\|Taurus sign with drawings of Pleiades (Bristle), Hyades (Chariot), Bull, and the Moon during a total lunar eclipse in the Moon's hypsoma; [https://recherche.smb.museum/detail/1973695/astronomische-tafel VAT 7851], drawing by Hoffmann (2025)<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2025). Image Analysis of VAT 7851, [https://orientalistik.univie.ac.at/publikationen/afo/ Archiv für Orientforschung (AfO)] 56, 45-53</ref> ]]
	The shape of a bull is quite easily recognisable in the sky in this asterism. Two open star clusters stand out prominently: the Hyades and the Pleiades.<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> They are sometimes seen as the pillars of a gate through which the sun, moon and planets pass. By adding further stars, they become the figure of half a bull. Greek mythology explains the absence of the back of the bull by the fact that it is swimming.		The shape of a bull is quite easily recognisable in the sky in this asterism. Two open star clusters stand out prominently: the Hyades and the Pleiades.<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> They are sometimes seen as the pillars of a gate through which the sun, moon and planets pass. By adding further stars, they become the figure of half a bull. Greek mythology explains the absence of the back of the bull by the fact that it is swimming.
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	File:Tau seal Wallenfels1993.png\|Taurus on Mesopotamian seal print, Wallenfels (1993).		File:Tau seal Wallenfels1993.png\|Taurus on Mesopotamian seal print, Wallenfels (1993).
	File:Tau+cap seal Wallenfels1993.png\|Taurus accompanied by a Goat-Fish on Mesopotamian seal print, Wallenfels (1993).		File:Tau+cap seal Wallenfels1993.png\|Taurus accompanied by a Goat-Fish on Mesopotamian seal print, Wallenfels (1993).
	</gallery>		</gallery>Because the zodiac sign (ecliptic section of 30°) is divided in halves with different names before 320 BCE,<ref name=":2" /> it is well possible and perhaps even likely that there were also two constellations seen in this area: GIGIR, the Chariot, and GU<sub>4</sub>.AN.NA, the Bull of Heaven.<ref name=":1" /> This would imply that the Bull constellation before the invention of the zodiac has been considered much smaller than in Seleucid times - with a century of slow transformation between. Yet there is no constellation GIGIR mentioned in the first list of MUL.APIN.

	==== Greco-Roman ====		==== Greco-Roman ====

YoulaAzkarrula: /* Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation */

2026-09-25T03:25:12Z

Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:25, 25 September 2026
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	File:H.A. Rey's stick figure stellarium-075.png\|H.A. Rey's stick figure of Taurus (1952)		File:H.A. Rey's stick figure stellarium-075.png\|H.A. Rey's stick figure of Taurus (1952)
	File:O. Hlad's stick figure stellarium-076.png\|O. Hlad's stick figure of Taurus (1988)		File:O. Hlad's stick figure stellarium-076.png\|O. Hlad's stick figure of Taurus (1988)
			File:Stellarium-029-Alm.png\|Reconstruction of Stickfigure based on the depiction of Almagest (100-170 CE). CC-BY Susanne Hoffmann in Stellarium.
			File:Stellarium-030-Far.png\|Image of the Farnese Globe (2nd century CE) taken by Susanne Hoffmann and imported into Stellarium.
	</gallery>		</gallery>

Sushoff at 09:20, 24 September 2026

2026-09-24T09:20:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:20, 24 September 2026
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	In Ptolemaic times (1st century BCE), when Egypt was ruled by the Romans, new Egyptian temples were built in Esna and Dendera (south and north of Thebes/ Luxor). They display a cultural mixture of Babylonian and Egyptian constellations.<gallery>		In Ptolemaic times (1st century BCE), when Egypt was ruled by the Romans, new Egyptian temples were built in Esna and Dendera (south and north of Thebes/ Luxor). They display a cultural mixture of Babylonian and Egyptian constellations.<gallery>
	File:Tau DenderaEckig GZotti.JPG\|Taurus; rectangular zodiac of Dendera		File:Tau DenderaEckig GZotti.JPG\|Taurus; rectangular zodiac of Dendera
	File:Tau DenderaCirc Louvre.JPG\|Taurus, circular zodiac of Dendera (CC BY [https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010028871 Musée du Louvre, Département des Antiquités égyptiennes])		File:Tau DenderaCirc Louvre.JPG\|Taurus, circular zodiac of Dendera (CC BY [https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010028871 Musée du Louvre, Département des Antiquités égyptiennes])
			File:Tau DenderaCirc Louvre black inv.jpg\|Constellation of a complete Bull in Taurus on the circular Zodiac of Dendera, Egypt (drawing by SMH for Stellarium 2026).
	</gallery>		</gallery>

Sushoff: /* Eratosthenes */

2026-08-26T15:14:57Z

Eratosthenes

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:14, 26 August 2026
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	From Pamias and Zucker (2013)<ref>Ératosthènes de Cyrène: Catastérrismes, translated by Pamìas, Jordi und Zucker, Arnaud, Les Belles Lettres, Paris 2013</ref> translated to English by us.		From Pamias and Zucker (2013)<ref>Ératosthènes de Cyrène: Catastérrismes, translated by Pamìas, Jordi und Zucker, Arnaud, Les Belles Lettres, Paris 2013</ref> translated to English by us.

	'''Variant 1''' (p. 45–46)<blockquote>It is said that he was placed among the constellations for having carried Europa across the sea from Phoenicia to Crete, as Euripides recounts in his Phrixos. This earned him Zeus's distinction and a place among the most visible constellations. Others claim that it is a cow, the replica of Io, and that it was out of consideration for the latter that it [the constellation] received this privilege from Zeus.</blockquote><blockquote>The stars named Hyades define the contours of the forehead and face of Taurus. At the break in the image of Taurus, at the height of the back, is the Pleiades, which has seven stars, and that is why it is also given the name ‘Heptaster’ (seven stars). In reality, only six are visible, as the seventh is completely unremarkable.</blockquote><blockquote>Taurus has seven stars, and it moves backwards with its head tucked towards its body: one at the base of each of its horns —the brightest being the one on the left—, one above each eye, one above each nostril, one above each shoulder: these are called ‘the Hyades’; it also has one on its left front knee, two on its hooves, one on its right knee, two on its neck, three on its back —the last of which is bright—, one under its belly, and one bright star on its chest. In all, eighteen. </blockquote>'''Variant 2''' (p.47)<blockquote>It is said that he was placed among the constellations for having carried Europa safely across the sea from Phoenicia to Crete, as Euripides recounts in his Phrixos. This earned him Zeus's distinction and a place among the most visible constellations. Others claim that it is a cow that is among the constellations, the replica of Io; out of consideration for the latter, she received this privilege from Zeus.</blockquote><blockquote>The stars named ‘Hyades’ define the contours of the bull's forehead and face; Phercydes of Athens says that they are the nurses of Dionysus, known as the ‘nymphs of Dodona’. Taurus has a star on each of its horns, two on its forehead, one on each eye, one on each nostril (the latter are called ‘the Hyades’); it also has one on its front knee, two on its neck, three on its back, one on its hoof, one on its right knee, two on its belly, and one on its chest. Eighteen in all.</blockquote>		'''Variant 1''' (p. 45–46)<blockquote>It is said that he was placed among the constellations for having carried Europa across the sea from Phoenicia to Crete, as Euripides recounts in his Phrixos. This earned him Zeus's distinction and a place among the most visible constellations. Others claim that it is a cow, the replica of Io, and that it was out of consideration for the latter that it [the constellation] received this privilege from Zeus.</blockquote><blockquote>The stars named Hyades define the contours of the forehead and face of Taurus. At the break in the image of Taurus, at the height of the back, is the Pleiades, which has seven stars, and that is why it is also given the name ‘Heptaster’ (seven stars). In reality, only six are visible, as the seventh is completely unremarkable.</blockquote><blockquote>Taurus has seven stars, and it moves backwards with its head tucked towards its body: one at the base of each of its horns —the brightest being the one on the left—, one above each eye, one above each nostril, one above each shoulder: these are called ‘the Hyades’; it also has one on its left front knee, two on its hooves, one on its right knee, two on its neck, three on its back —the last of which is bright—, one under its belly, and one bright star on its chest. In all, eighteen. </blockquote>'''Variant 2''' (p.47)<blockquote>It is said that he was placed among the constellations for having carried Europa safely across the sea from Phoenicia to Crete, as Euripides recounts in his Phrixos. This earned him Zeus's distinction and a place among the most visible constellations. Others claim that it is a cow that is among the constellations, the replica of Io; out of consideration for the latter, she received this privilege from Zeus.</blockquote><blockquote>The stars named ‘Hyades’ define the contours of the bull's forehead and face; Phercydes of Athens says that they are the nurses of Dionysus, known as the ‘nymphs of Dodona’. Taurus has a star on each of its horns, two on its forehead, one on each eye, one on each nostril (the latter are called ‘the Hyades’); it also has one on its front knee, two on its neck, three on its back, one on its hoof, one on its right knee, two on its belly, and one on its chest. Eighteen in all.</blockquote>'''Eratosthenes's star catalogue''' can be reconstructed from the list of stars he mentions in the last section of each of the constelllation descriptions. Hoffmann (2017)<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, S. M., <nowiki><i>Hipparchs Himmelsglobus</i></nowiki>. Springer Wiesbaden/ New York, 2017. doi:10.1007/978-3-658-18683-8.</ref> made such a catalogue and used it for computational comparison with Hipparchus's, Ptolemy's and Babylonian data; it is based on the edition and translation by Pamias and Geus (2007)<ref>Eratosthenes: Sternsagen, übersetzt von Pamìas, Jordi und Geus, Klaus, Verlag Utopica, Oberhaid 2007</ref> and presented here in English translation.

	{\|class="wikitable"		{\|class="wikitable"
	\|+		\|+

Sushoff: /* Stars Mentioned */

2026-08-26T14:16:17Z

Stars Mentioned

Show changes

Sushoff: /* Eratosthenes */

2026-08-24T20:36:23Z

Eratosthenes

Show changes

Sushoff at 17:52, 4 August 2026

2026-08-04T17:52:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:52, 4 August 2026
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	In Ptolemaic times (1st century BCE), when Egypt was ruled by the Romans, new Egyptian temples were built in Esna and Dendera (south and north of Thebes/ Luxor). They display a cultural mixture of Babylonian and Egyptian constellations.<gallery>		In Ptolemaic times (1st century BCE), when Egypt was ruled by the Romans, new Egyptian temples were built in Esna and Dendera (south and north of Thebes/ Luxor). They display a cultural mixture of Babylonian and Egyptian constellations.<gallery>
	File:Tau DenderaEckig GZotti.JPG\|Taurus; rectangular zodiac of Dendera		File:Tau DenderaEckig GZotti.JPG\|Taurus; rectangular zodiac of Dendera
			File:Tau DenderaCirc Louvre.JPG\|Taurus, circular zodiac of Dendera (CC BY [https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010028871 Musée du Louvre, Département des Antiquités égyptiennes])
	</gallery>		</gallery>

Sushoff: /* Egyptian */

2026-08-04T11:34:58Z

Egyptian

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:34, 4 August 2026
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	===== Egyptian =====		===== Egyptian =====
	In Ptolemaic times (1st century CE), when Egypt was ruled by the Romans, new Egyptian temples were built in Esna and Dendera (south and north of Thebes/ Luxor). They display a cultural mixture of Babylonian and Egyptian constellations.<gallery>		In Ptolemaic times (1st century BCE), when Egypt was ruled by the Romans, new Egyptian temples were built in Esna and Dendera (south and north of Thebes/ Luxor). They display a cultural mixture of Babylonian and Egyptian constellations.<gallery>
	File:Tau DenderaEckig GZotti.JPG\|Taurus; rectangular zodiac of Dendera		File:Tau DenderaEckig GZotti.JPG\|Taurus; rectangular zodiac of Dendera
	</gallery>		</gallery>

Sushoff: /* Etymology and History */

2026-08-04T10:59:55Z

Etymology and History

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:59, 4 August 2026
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	==== Greco-Roman ====		==== Greco-Roman ====

			===== Egyptian =====
			In Ptolemaic times (1st century CE), when Egypt was ruled by the Romans, new Egyptian temples were built in Esna and Dendera (south and north of Thebes/ Luxor). They display a cultural mixture of Babylonian and Egyptian constellations.<gallery>
			File:Tau DenderaEckig GZotti.JPG\|Taurus; rectangular zodiac of Dendera
			</gallery>

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