Hyades in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Hyades

8 passages from 5 ancient authors that tell of Hyades, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. The Hyades were the nymphs that brought rain in Greek mythology. They were daughters of the Titan Atlas and either Pleione or the Oceanid Aethra, and ... For the story in one place, read our article on Hyades.

Hesiod (1)

Hesiod, Fragments 8.1–5AstronomyThe Astronomy, a poem attributed to Hesiod, is cited for the stars and constellations. The fragments name the Pleiades and the Hyades, the Great Bear and Callisto, Boötes and Orion.

Ovid (1)

Ovid, Fasti 5.111–182Fasti 5: Amalthea's goat, the Lares Praestites and Bona Dea (1 May)On 1 May Ovid tells how the nymph Amalthea's goat nursed the infant Zeus (Jupiter) on Crete and was set among the stars, with her horn. He mentions the altar of the Guardian Lares and their dog images, and the Bona Dea temple, then the Hyades on 2 May and the hunter Hyas, killed by a lioness.

[Eratosthenes] (1)

[Eratosthenes], Catasterismi (Constellation Myths) 13–16The Charioteer, the Bull, Cepheus and CassiepeiaThe Charioteer is Erichthonius, born from Hephaestus's failed pursuit of Athena, and with him are the Goat and Kids of Zeus's infancy. The Bull is either Zeus's bull of Europa or an image of Io, and the Pleiad is explained from the Atlantid sisters. Cepheus and Cassiepeia belong to the story of Andromeda and the sea monster.

Aratus (1)

Aratus, Phaenomena 116–265Justice leaves the earth; Auriga, Andromeda and PerseusThe Maiden Justice leaves the earth as the Golden, Silver and Bronze Races succeed one another, and takes her place in the sky. Aratus then places the Twins, the Crab and the Lion, and describes Auriga with the Goat and the Kids, the Bull and the Hyades, and the family of Cepheus: Cepheus, Cassiepeia and Andromeda. He continues with the Horse and the spring Hippocrene, the Ram, the Deltoton and the Fishes, and with Perseus and the Pleiades, whose seven names are given.

Hyginus (4)

Hyginus, De astronomia 2.21.1–2.24.2Book 2: The Bull, the Twins, the Crab and the LionThe Bull brings in the Hyades and Pleiades with their fathers and lovers; the Twins are Castor and Pollux and others; the Crab and the Asses belong to Dionysus's madness and to the war on the Giants. The Lion is Heracles's first victim and also stands beside the hair of Berenice.
Hyginus, Fabulae 192–206Hyas, Harpalyce, Arion, Orion and tales of transformationThe Hyades and Pleiades, Harpalyce and Arion are followed by Orion, Pan, Aphrodite's egg and the two Scyllas. Chione, Autolycus, Coronis, Daphne, Nyctimene, Arge and Harpalyce and Clymenus close the group.
Hyginus, Fabulae 178–184Europa and Cadmus, Semele, Actaeon, the horses of the Sun and PentheusEuropa and Cadmus, Semele and Actaeon's death are followed by the Hyades, the names of the horses of the Sun and of the Hours, and a long list of Actaeon's hounds. The group ends with Pentheus torn apart by the Bacchae.
Hyginus, De astronomia 3.16.1–3.23.1Book 3: The Dolphin to the LionThe Dolphin, the Horse and the Triangle lead into the twelve signs of the zodiac, beginning with the Ram. The Ram, the Bull, the Twins, the Crab and the Lion are each described with their stars.