XXXVII. ARGO.
Hanc nonnulli propter celeritatem graece dixerunt Argo appellatam; alii quod Argus eius fuerit inuentor. hanc autem primam in mari fuisse conplures dixerunt, et hac re maxime stellis esse figuratam. hanc nauem factam Pindarus ait in Magnesiae oppido, cui Demetrias est nomen. Callimachus autem in isdem finibus ad Apollinis Actii templum, quod Argonautae proficiscentes statuisse existimantur in eo loco, qui Pagasae uocatur, ideo quod nauis Argo ibi primum conpacta dicitur, quod est graece παγάσαι. Homerus hunc eundem locum in Thessaliae finibus esse demonstrat; Aeschylus autem et nonnulli aiunt a Minerua quandam materiam loquentem eodem esse coniunctam. sed huius non tota effigies inter astra uidetur; diuisa enim est a puppi usque ad malum, significans, ne homines nauibus fractis pertimescerent
XXXVII. Argo
Some have said that she was called Argo in Greek on account of her speed; others, because Argus was her builder. Very many have said that she was the first on the sea, and for this reason especially was formed with stars. Pindar says that this ship was built in the town of Magnesia named Demetrias. Callimachus, however, says it was in the same region, at the temple of Apollo of Actium, which the Argonauts, as they set out, are thought to have established in the place called Pagasae, because the ship Argo is said to have been first fitted together there, which in Greek is παγάσαι. Homer shows this same place to be in the territory of Thessaly; Aeschylus and some say that a certain speaking timber was joined to her by Athena. But her whole figure is not seen among the stars; for she is cut off from the stern as far as the mast, signifying that men should not fear after ships were wrecked.
XXXVIII. CENTAURUS.
Hic dicitur nomine Chiron Saturni et Philyrae filius esse, qui non modo ceteros Centauros, sed homines quoque iustitia superasse, Aesculapium et Achillem nutrisse existimatur. pietate igitur et diligentia effecit, ut inter astra numeraretur. apud hunc Hercules cum deuerteretur et simul cum Chirone sedens sagittas consideraret, fertur una earum decidisse supra pedem Chironis et ita eum interfecisse. alii autem dicunt Centaurum miratum, quod tam breuibus sagittis tam magna corpora Centaurorum interfecerit, ipsum contendere arcum conatum, itaque ex eius manu sagittam prolapsam in pedem eius incidisse. pro qua re Iuppiter eius misertus inter sidera eum constituit cum hostia, quam supra aram tenens immolare uidetur. hunc alii Pholon esse Centaurum dixerunt, eum qui • aruspicio praeter ceteros plurimum ualuisset; itaque ad Aram cum hostia uenire Iouis uoluntate figuratum.
XXXVIII. The Centaur
This is said to be Chiron by name, son of Cronus and Philyra, who surpassed not only the other Centaurs but men too in justice, and is thought to have nursed Asclepius and Achilles. By piety, then, and diligence he brought it about that he was numbered among the stars. When Heracles was lodging with him and, sitting with Chiron, was examining arrows, one of them is reported to have fallen on Chiron's foot and so to have killed him. Others, however, say that the Centaur, wondering that with such short arrows Heracles had killed such great bodies of Centaurs, tried to draw the bow himself, and so the arrow slipped from his hand and fell on his foot. For this Zeus, pitying him, set him among the stars with the victim, which, holding it over an altar, he is seen to sacrifice. Others have said that this is the Centaur Pholus, who surpassed the rest in skill in divination; and that he was therefore formed, by Zeus's will, coming to the Altar with the victim.
XXXIX. ARA.
In hac primum dii existimantur sacra et coniurationem fecisse, cum Titanas oppugnare • conarentur; eam autem Cyclopas fecisse. ab ea consuetudine homines dicuntur instituisse sibi, ut cum aliquam rem efficere cogitarent, prius sacrificarent, quam agere incepissent.
XXXIX. The Altar
On this the gods are first thought to have made sacrifice and a sworn compact, when they were trying to attack the Titans; the Cyclopes made it. From that custom men are said to have established for themselves that, when they intended to accomplish some matter, they should sacrifice first, before beginning to act.
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