Why didn't Hercules from myth "get" a better constellation?

Factual Questions
21

I make the argument I mu book Medusa that the constellation of Perseus also represented Bellerophon (to the inhabitants of Corinth) and Hercules (to the inhabitants of Tiryns, while the constellation represented Perseus chiefly to the inhabitants of Argos. In each case the hero was the local hero of the city, and you can make an excellent case for identifying the surrounding constellations with elements of the hero’s myth (or, in the case of Hercules, one of his myths). just as Perseus rescued the princess Andromeda ( daughter of king Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia) from the Sea Monster Cetus, so did Hercules rescue the princess Hesione (daughter of King Cepheus and an un-named queen) from the sea monster Cetus. In both cases a horse was involved, as well. That Perseus got identified with the constellation (which is just about as big as that of Orion, if not as impressive) rather than the more famous Hercules is a fluke of literature and astronomy.

On the other hand, there are stellar behaviors and details of the constellation that make it much more aligned with the myth of Orion. In fact, our oldest source, Homer, explicitly relates the myth of Orion to the constellation, and many of his acts and characteristics are uniquely associated with that constellation. Chief of these is his setting when Scorpio rises, representing his being fatally (or almost fatally, depending upon whose myth you buy) stung by the scorpion. There are a great many other characteristics that would take too long to go into now. I have discussed them in lectures that I have given, and intend to write a book about it, similar to my book Medusa.

22

A good question to ask the Perfect Master! Oh, er, right.

Maybe a staff report? Oh, that too.

23

To be honest, if we did have a Staff Report on it, the best-qualified person to answer it would be CalMeacham. So, just scroll up a couple of posts.

24

Aw, shucks, you say the nicest things.

My argument is that the myth (about Orion and the Scorpion) was developed from the known behavior of the stars. My evidence is that this is NOT the only myth regarding those two constellations representing antagonists. The corresponding Chinese asterisms* are also antagonists, and when one appears above the horizon the other drops below the other horizon. (Sorry, I don’t have the details with me).

Why those two constellations (or asterisms)? There are LOTS of other pairs of constellations for which one sets while the other rises. What’s special about Orion and Scorpio?

What’s special is that these are the only two constellations which have naked-eye-visible SRc Supergiant Variable Stars in the northern sky – Betelgeuse and Antares. I argued in Medusa that the grouping of the constellations of Perseus (holding the head of Medusa, Algol = beta Persei), Cetus (with Mira = omicron Ceti), Cepheus (with delta Cephei) and Cassiopeia (with gamma Casseopeia) was dictated by the fact that these constellations all had naked-eye visible variable stars, with highly visible variation. all the variable stars are, I note, in enemies of Perseus (Andromeda and Pegasus, also in the group and in the myth, don’t have such stars) There is thus a very human classifying tendency to put such stars into groups on constellations. Orion and Scorpio, with their big red (and therefore really different) variable stars were also obviously part of a group, even though they are widely separated. Hence the myth of enmity.

For a long time the variability was not recognized. John Herschel first observed it while in South Africa, mapping the Southern celestial hemisphere. Then, amazingly, he forgot it, and rediscovered it upon analyzing his results. Nevertheless, most people forgot or never knew of its variability. The Encyclopedia Britannica didn’t seem to know it until surprisingly recently. But the American Association of Variable Star Observers know – they’ve got over a century of observational data about it.

Betelgeuse 's variation has been subjected to Fourier analysis, which found six sharp and distinct frequency peaks, although the exact mechanism is still not understood.

*For some reason the term “Constellations” is reserved for our traditional Western star groupings. Analogous star-images from elsewhere in the world are called “Asterisms”. Zeus knows why.

25

Looks pretty good to me (at 3:26): - YouTube

26

Ah, yes, the popular versions of the myths, from the movies. I really do love ‘em, because I was raised on them, and they’re part of what got me interested in mythology in the first place. But they’re also so freakin’ WRONG, too.

I wanted to run a session at one of the Classical Association meetings I go to where we’d show a myth-based movie and call out snide remarks about how inaccurate they are (and also how they sometimes are surprisingly RIGHT, too*). I’d call it Mythology Science Theater 3000. But I could never interest any of the real classical scholars interested. Heck, I think it’d be a great teaching tool.

*It’s amazing how much stuff from relatively obscure mythological sources screenwriter Beverly Cross managed to work into the script for the original Clash of the Titans. He even, arguably, got Simonides’ poem mentioned in there. On the other hand, they changed the sea monster from Cetus or Ketos to “The Kraken” 9which is Scandinavian, for Zeus’ sake!) and made Zeus, rather than Athena, the god who helped Perseus.

27

Is there somewhere I can get this book either in ebook or audiobook format?

28

It’s available in several e-book formats, including Kindle and Nook. Look up “Medusa: Solving the Mystery of the Gorgon”. I’ll send you a link.