Myths in the Sky: Hunting Dogs, Herdsman and Berenice's Hair

The Hunting Dogs (lat. Canes Venatici)

This is a constellation created by the author of this atlas J. Hevelius at the fall of the XVII century. It depicts two dogs straining at the leash they were held on by the Herdsman.

^{Johannes Hevelius, atlas Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Map 5}

The Herdsman (lat. Bootes)

This is an ancient constellation. One of the versions connects it with Zeus and Calisto's son Areas, but it runs counter to the legend covering the origin of the Little Bear. Another version says that Icarus, a resident of Athens, gave refuge to Dionis, the beggarly god of wine-making, who had taught him how to grow grapes and brew wine. Icarus lavishly treated his shepherds to wine. Being intoxicated, they imagined that their master had poisoned them and murdered him. Subsequently he took up his position in heaven in the image of a shepherd.

^{Johannes Hevelius, atlas Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Map 6}

Berenice's Hair (lat. Coma Berenices)

Berenice, the wife of Ptolemy III Everghet, King of Egypt, vowed to sacrifice her gorgeous hair if her husband returned the conqueror from, his campaign in Assyria. When she welcomed the victorious king, she kept her word, and Berenice's Hair was put in heaven.