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[German version] (καταστερισμός/ katasterismós), or star-legend. A type of legend explaining the genesis of constellations and asterisms by means of an aetiological myth ( Aetiology), as a rule by a human or a god being placed in the heavens as a star or constellation. This stellification equals a deification (apotheosis). Although legends about stars were, in principle, well-known in Egypt and the Ancient Orient, where heavenly bodies themselves were venerated as quasi-personal gods, Greek mythology is distinguished by a particularly rich abundance of such stories. There is muc…

(Ὠρίων/ Ōríōn). [German version] [1] Gigantic mythical hunter Gigantic mythical hunter (as early as Hom. Od. 11,310; 11,572-575), also a constellation (as early as Hom. Il. 18,485f.; Stars, legends about). Son of Poseidon and Euryale [2] (Hes. fr. 148(a) M.-W.) or of the earth (Apollod. 1,25f.) or of Zeus, Poseidon and Hermes or Hyrieus (Ov. Fast. 5,535; Hyg. Fab. 195). According to the latter version, his name was derived from the unusual nature of his conception: Hyrieus was granted a wish as a reward…

(Ὠρίων). [English version] [1] riesenhafter Jäger Myth. riesengroßer Jäger (seit Hom. Od. 11,310; 11,572-575), auch Sternbild (seit Hom. Il. 18,485f.; Sternsagen). Sohn des Poseidon und der Euryale [2] (Hes. fr. 148(a) M.-W.) oder der Erde (Apollod. 1,25f.) oder des Zeus, Poseidon und Hermes bzw. des Hyrieus (Ov. fast. 5,535; Hyg. fab. 195). Nach der letztgenannten Version verdankt er seinen Namen seiner ungewöhnlichen Zeugung: Nach der Bewirtung durch Hyrieus gewährt Zeus/Iuppiter ihm die Erfüllung e…