Taurus

The bull, Taurus, is usually associated with the abduction of Europa.

Zeus fell in love with the beautiful Europa and came to her in the guise of a white bull. (Dibon-Smith) After winning her confidence by being the most beautiful and nicest bull, he got closer and closer to her. Eventually Europa climbed on his back for a ride. The bull immediately begins to swim away from the land, taking Europa with it. Constellation of Taurus

After Zeus has taken Europa far away to Crete (Lesikar), he transforms and makes love to Europa. They have several children, the most well known of which is probably the Minotaur.

Taurus is usually seen in the Northern Hemisphere during the late winter and early spring. (Peoria)

Gemini

The constellation of Gemini is said to depict the twins Castor and Pollux, sons of Leda.

Leda was said by the Greeks to have born four children, two sets of twins, at one time. The boys, Castor and Pollux, were as close as two men can be. Castor was mortal, but Pollux was immortal, his father being Zeus who had come to Leda in the shape of a swan.

Constellation of GeminiAccording to Homer's The Odyssey, at the death of Castor, Pollux was refused to accept immortality. Zeus allowed each brother to spend alternate days as immortal and in hades. (11.343)

To commemorate his decision, Zeus is said to have placed the twins together in the sky. (Lesikar)

Egyptians believed the twins to be "Shu, the wind god, and his consort, Tefnut, who had the had of a lioness and was called The Spitter because she sent the rain." (Ancient Egypt 34)

Cancer

Constellation of Cancer

The crab, Cancer, appears in the northern sky during the spring. (Peoria)

The crab supposedly depicted is the one that Hera sent to harrass Hercules as he was fighting the Hydra. Hercules crushed the crab with his heel, thereby ending it's life. Hera rewarded the crab for it's effort, placing it among the stars. (Lesikar)

To learn more about the constellations of Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer and the stars they contain, contact The Peoria Astronomical Society.

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This website was developed as an assignment for a classical mythology course at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Class: Classical Mythology: The Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greece and Rome
Professor: Dr. Susan Spencer
Web Site Developer: Sheryl Funderburg
Web site researched and developed September through December 2000.