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Many of the constellations were related to myths. Generally the figure was important enough either to the gods or to humanity that the gods granted them immortality by being placed in the heavens. An example is Ursa Major and minor (the Big and Little Dippers). According to Greek myth, Zeus had an affair with a nymph named Kallisto. He disguised himself as Artemis and forced himself on her. When it was discovered that she was pregnant, Artemis expelled her. She gave birth to Arcas (progenitor of the Arcadians). Zeus discovered what happened and transformed her into a bear. Many years later, she came upon her son while hunting, and he raised his spear to fell her as she approached to embrace him. Zeus immediately intervened and placed mother and son among the stars.

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Q: How did the ancient Greeks explain constellations?
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Related questions

Who named the arrangement of the stars the 'constellations'?

The ancient Greeks


Who invented the modern constellations in the Northern Hemisphere?

Most of the (northern) constellations we use today were invented in ancient times, especially by the ancient Greeks. More recently, a few were added (to fill the entire surface of the sky with constellations), and the limits between constellations were defined exactly.


Did the ancient Greeks and Romans discover all the zodiac constellations?

a fghr


How the constellations get their name?

many ancient civilizations created there own constellations but the ones most people use today were created from the Greeks


Who named the constellation Sagittarius?

Most of the "classical" constellations were named by the ancient Greeks. I believe this includes Sagittarius.


How old are constellations?

Since ancient Greece maybe, the ancient Greeks named the 88 constellations. Edit: It was probably the Babylonians who really started naming groups of stars. The modern system of 88 constellations was only finalised in the last century. Obviously the Babylonians, Greeks, etc., couldn't even see the stars that can be seen only from the Southern Hemisphere.


Why did the ancient Greeks create the myths?

The ancient Greeks created myths because to explain the gods' actions.


What was mythology used for in ancient Greece?

They are the religion of the ancient Greeks.


How did stars receive its name?

Stars received their names from the ancient Greeks and romans, who observed the constellations and named them after Greek myths.


Why did the ancient create myths?

The ancient Greeks created myths because to explain the gods' actions.


Why did ancient Greeks use myths about their gods?

They were used to explain natural phenomena.


How did the constellations get their name?

many ancient civilizations created there own constellations but the ones most people use today were created from the Greeks