
In Atlantem.
On Atlas.
Astrologia.
Astrology.
Distinctum stellis caelum fert maximus Atlas,
Atque humeros oneri fertur habere pares:
Unde illi cecidit tantae provincia sorti?
Quis Deus hunc tantum munus obire dedit?
Qui bene Virgilias, fratrum quoque lucida signa
Novit, & Arctoi sydera clara poli:
Et cui lactis iter notum, & dimensio caeli:
Is magnum Aetherei sustinet axis onus.
Atlas the giant carries the star-spangled heavens, and is said to have shoulders that are equal to the burden. How come so great a duty fell [lit. whence did the duty of so great a fate fall] to him? What god gave him so great a charge to fulfil? He who knows well the Pleiades, and the shining sign of the twins [Castor and Pollux], and the bright stars of the north pole [i.e.Ursa Major and Minor]: And who knows the Milky Way, and the extent of the universe: Such a man bears the great weight of the sky of Heaven.
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Relating to the image:
Relating to the text:
- (map of) the North Pole [25A271] Search | Browse Iconclass
- (story of) the Dioscuri: Castor (the horse-tamer) and Pollux (the boxer) [94R] Search | Browse Iconclass
- apotheosis of the Pleiades: they are set among the stars by Jupiter [92E2169] Search | Browse Iconclass
- astrology [14] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Atlas supporting the heavens on his shoulders [91B13661] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Milky Way [24D21] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Pleiades (Vergiliae), daughters of Atlas [92E2] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Regular Motion [51L2] Search | Browse Iconclass
- stars [24D] Search | Browse Iconclass
- stars and constellations [24D1] Search | Browse Iconclass
- the heavens (celestial bodies) [24] Search | Browse Iconclass
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