Diana and Callisto (1556 – 59), by the Italian Renaissance artistTitian.In Greek mythology, Callisto
Diana and Callisto (1556 – 59), by the Italian Renaissance artistTitian.In Greek mythology, Callisto was the daughter of King Lycaon ofArcadia. She was extremely beautiful, but she preferred to hunt withArtemis and her followers, taking a vow of chastity like them. Zeusbecame infatuated with her, took Artemis’ form to deceive her, andraped her.Callisto became pregnant, and when Artemis found out, she was soangry she shot her with an arrow. This caused her to give birth andalso turn into a she-bear.Her son, Arcas, grew up to become the King of Arcadia, while Callistowandered around the mountains in bear form. One day, she wanderedinto Zeus’ sanctuary while Lycaon and Arcas were inside it. Theydidn’t know who she was, and were about to kill her for the offence,but Zeus intervened to prevent it, turning Callisto and her son intothe constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. -- source link
#history#classics#art#art history#astronomy#animals#greek mythology#constellations#ancient greece#callisto#lycaon#artemis#zeus#arcas#titian#ursa major#ursa minor#bears#rape tw