--Hyginus, de Astronomica II.25
THE CONSTELLATION VIRGO: Hesiod states that the constellation Virgo represents the daughter of Jupiter & Themis [Justice]. Aratus, however, thinks that it represents the daughter of Astraeus and Aurora [Eos, the goddess of the dawn], who existed during the Golden Age of Mankind, and was their leader. Because of her duty and fairness, she was also called "Justice." For at that time there was no threat to external war, there was no need for foreign trade or sea travel; everyone just lived off of the fruits of their own land. But after that age ended, the following generations were less able to mind their own business, and became greedy; therefore Justice was accustomed to dwell among humans less and less. Finally it got so bad that it became known as the "Bronze Age of Mankind." No longer able to endure the wretchedness of mankind, Justice flew off into the stars.
HYGINUS
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Name: Gaius Julius Hyginus
Date: 64 BCE – 17 CE
Works: Fabulae
De Astronomica*
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BIO:
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Hyginus was a freedman of the Roman emperor Augustus who was in
charge of the Imperial library on the Palatine Hill in Rome. His work, the Fabulae,
are a sourcebook for Greek and Roman myths. Although there is quite a bit of overlap
between his writings and his contemporary and friend Ovid’s Metamorphoses,
Hyginus’ works are much more succinct.
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GOLDEN AGE ROME
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