The Constellation
Auriga |
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Mythology and History |
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The Wagoneer or Charioteer. |
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Auriga is one of the oldest constellations going back to
the Babylonian times. It has always been associated with a charioteer. |
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The Babylonians, Greeks, Arabs, and Chinese have associated
Auriga with a chariot. |
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According to one Greek myth, Hera had a child who was born
lame. Disgusted, she threw him out of Heaven to Earth, where he became
the famous lame smith, Hephaestus, who fashioned beautiful ornaments and
armor for the gods. He is also the smith who came to Orion's rescue
after Orion had been blinded. It is said that because he was lame
he invented the chariot so that he might get around better. |
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Son of Helios (the sun god) and Hera (Zeus' wife). |
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