Myths in the Sky: the Dragon and Cepheus

The Dragon 

A dramatic event, reflected in Greek mythology, was the fight of the gods against the giants. Drops of Uranus' blood, which fell upon the Earth, gave birth to the giants — sinuous-legged gigantic figures, who lay claim to the universe. The Olympic gods headed by Zeus joined battle against them. To the aid of the giants came dragons, hydras and gryphons, which gave rise to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods and other natural calamities. Athena, the daughter of Zeus, became locked in battle against one of the giants. Tearing him away from the Earth from which he derived his strength, she untangled him and then threw him away. After reaching the sky, the tangled rings of this monster made up the constellation of the Dragon.

^{Johannes Hevelius, atlas Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Map 2}

Cepheus

Ancient Egyptians identified this constellation with Pharaon Rhufu (Cheops), the founder of the great pyramid in Gizeh built in the third millennium В. C.. The ancient Greeks imagined it to be King of Ethiopea who took part in the Argonaut's expedition in search of the Golden Fleece.

^{Johannes Hevelius, atlas Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Map 3}