The Bear

Reading notes

• The Heroides §18 Helice

  The Great Bear (Helice), the constellation Greek sailors steered by; Leander steers by Hero's lamp instead.

• The Heroides §18 the Bear

  The Bear-constellation (here the lesser Bear) used by the Phoenicians of Tyre for navigation.

• Letters from the Black Sea §1.5 the Bear that is far

  The constellation of the Great Bear, which never sets and looks down close upon the 'shaggy Getae'; an emblem of Ovid's separation under a different sky.

• The Festivals §2.12 Maenalian Bear

  The Great Bear (Ursa Major), called Maenalian from the Arcadian mountain Maenalus; Juno begs Tethys never to let it set into the sea.

• The Festivals §4.12 Helice

  The Great Bear (Helice), the never-setting northern constellation Ceres questions in the sky.

• The Festivals §6.7 Bear

  The Great Bear, the constellation (Lycaon/Callisto) that here sets.

• Metamorphoses §1.2 the seven stars of the Wain

  The constellation of the Great Bear (the Wain or Plough), marking the north.

• Metamorphoses §3.39 the Serpent that parts the twin Bears

  The constellation Draco, which winds between the Great and Little Bears (Ursa Major and Minor).

• Metamorphoses §3.59 and the Bear

  Ursa Major (the Great Bear / Wain), the circumpolar constellation used for steering.

• Metamorphoses §8.199 Helice

  Helice, the Great Bear (Ursa Major), a steering-star of the north.