The Constellation
Delphinus |
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Mythology and History |
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The Dolphin. |
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The Greeks may have inherited Delphinus from India, where
is was also identified with a dolphin or porpoise. |
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According to one Greek myth, the musician named Arion was
the greatest singer who ever existed. He was the court musician for
the King of Corinth, Periander. So great was Arion's fame that he
made a tour of Sicily. |
During his visit to Sicily he was
awarded many prizes and given gold and much money. Now the crew of
the vessel waiting to take Arion back to Corinth knew of his newly acquired
wealth. They plotted to steal it from him and then cast him into
the sea sometime during the return voyage. In a dream, Arion was
informed by Apollo of the plot against his life. When the time came
and the murderous crew made their move, Arion made one last request--that
he be permitted to sing a farewell song. The crew could see no danger
in that and agreed. So he dressed in his finest court garments and
stood on the bow of the ship and began to sing. So sweet was his
song that sea creatures of many kinds surrounded the ship to listen.
Among them was a school of dolphins.
Arion saw that the dolphins seemed
very pleased with his song and just before he reached the end of it he
plunged overboard amid the dolphins. One of the animals caught him
before he struck the water and raced off with him towards Corinth.
It was with great difficulty that Arion hung on, so swift was the dolphin's
course through the sea. The startled crew looked on helplessly and
believed that surly Arion would fall off the dolphin and drown.
But the dolphin safely carried Arion
to Corinth. Arion told the king of the crew's plot and when the vessel
docked, Periander was waiting for them. The crew said that Arion
had decided to remain in Sicily, so great was the wealth he had acquired
there. When Arion stepped into view and the crew saw him, they were
so terrified they confessed their plot. King Periander crucified
them to the last man. So pleased was Apollo with the good dolphin's
role in rescuing Arion that the god gave the dolphin a place among the
stars.
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The Arabs called the constellation Al Ka'ud, "the
Riding Camel." |
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The early Christians saw Delphinus as the Cross of Jesus. |
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