User:Alexandra0220/sandbox

= Hercules as a Constellation =

Description:
The Hercules constellation is found in the northern hemisphere, in the keystone asterism ( π Her, η Her, ζ Her and ε Her ), none of the stars are particularly bright however, it is recognized by its shape. Hercules is identified by his figure combatting a snake, possibly on one knee, observed in a Grecian eye.

Legend:
Dionysius of Halicarnassus describes the legend that while Hercules completed his tenth labour, he engaged in a battle with two giants. As his opponents, Albion and Bergion (sons of Poseidon) were mighty, Hercules prayed to Zeus for help. Winning with the help of his father, it is that kneeling position that gave the constellation the name, "the Kneeler". Before, this constellation was seen as a kneeling figure, whether the figure was entirely human remained unclear. The theory of this constellation is that it is zodiacal and that it derives from the 12 labours of Hercules.

Constellations surrounding Hercules
Hercules constellation is adjoined by other constellations a few are mentioned below. Ara - the Altar

Description of Constellation:
Ara makes part of the Milky Way, set below the tail of Scorpius and is an altar.

Hercules tenth Labor
On his tenth labor Hercules defeats the Son of Vulcan, to honor the victory an alter was set where he defeated the son of Vulcan, Caucus.

Defeat of Titans
Jupiter and his allies are set to defeat the Titans. To mark their alliance Jupiter makes the allies to make sacrifices on an alter. After the prosperous battle, Jupiter thanks them by setting the alter among the stars.

Altar of Pholus
Ara represents the altar of Pholus, a kind centaur who is said to be augury. Jupiter demonstrates his appreciation by creating three constellations including Ara ( Crater the Cup, and Centaurus the Centaur) and setting him with them. Taurus- Bull

Description of Constellation:
Taurus constellation lays above and on the right of the constellation Orion. The eye of the bull, the horns and shoulder are visible, however other body parts remain missing.

White Bull & Europa
The god Jupiter developed a crush on a beautiful women, Europa, however he was afraid of approaching her because of his wife Juno who may inflict revenge as she had done to his others lovers. When Juno went away, Venus and Cupid decided to collaborate by having Cupid shoot his arrow at Jupiter's heart, making the small crush to develop into love, making his desires for Europa irresistible.

Europa and her friends were collecting flowers when Jupiter decided to transform himself into a white bull to resemble the herd of cattle near the girls. They noticed how this white bull was particularly handsome compared to the others. Jupiter wandered towards Europa, who was not afraid of his big size, started to play with him. The white bull tricked Europa into getting on his back and ran away from the other girls. She came to realize that this was not a bull but a god, Jupiter revealed his true identity and confessed his love for her. Europa and the god would become lovers and she would bear him three sons: Sarpedon, Minos, and Rhadamanthus.

Cretan Bull
The king of Crete, Asterios died and left no heir to ascend the throne. Minos, son of Jupiter wanted to take over the throne, however no one saw him as worthy. To prove himself, Minos declared that whatever he prayed would come true. He prayed and sacrificed for a bull to appear out of the sea. Neptune granted Minos giving him a handsome bull. Because of the bulls appearance, Minos broke his pact with the god and slaughtered another bull. Neptune got angry and turned the bull wild, making it that the bull would attack anyone who got near it. The god also put a spell on Minos' wife, Pasiphae to lust over the wild bull which made it impossible for her desire to be satisfied. With the help of the carpenter Deaduls, Pasiphae mated with the bull and got impregnated. The child turned out to be nor man nor bull but an ugly beast with the same anger problems as his father. Minos did not kill his stepson but with the help of the Oracles placed him in a big labyrinth. Eventually the beast would die by the hands of Thesus, Prince of Athens. Corus- the Crows

Description of Constellation:
Four stars create a figure with an added star located on the East in Virgo.

Birds of Stymphalus
On his fifth labor, Hercules is told by Eurytheus to chase away the birds of Stymphalus. These birds were special since they had arrows as feathers and were known carnivores. Minerva warns Hercules of not confronting the birds directly. Hercules kills a few of the birds with his poison arrows and the rest flew to the east, never to be seen.