Wonders of the East and Astronomical-Calendrical Treatise

Hercules killed the massive lion in Greece. Because of his valor, it was placed among the twelve signs. This sign is also said to have been established among the stars by Jupiter original: "ab ioue" because it is considered the prince of all wild beasts. It consists altogether of fifteen stars original: "stellarum quindecim", as they are seen arranged here.

[Illustration: A medieval illumination of the constellation Leo, depicted as a stylized walking lion with circular dots representing individual stars. The lion is framed within a red and white border against a faded blue background wash.]

Concerning the Virgin.

They say this Virgin The constellation Virgo is the daughter of Astraeus original: "astree" and Aurora, and that she existed during the Golden Age. Because of her love and equity, they called her Justice original: "iusticiam". But after those times, because men were corrupted by greed and every kind of malice, she is said to have reached a point where the race of men was called "iron" The Iron Age, the last and most degenerate age of man in classical mythology. Thus, Justice could no longer dwell among men, but is said to have flown away to the stars. Others call her the daughter of Apollo and Chrysothemis, and name the infant Parthenos Greek for "maiden" or "virgin"; and because she died while still small, she was placed among the stars by Apollo. This constellation has altogether seventeen stars.

Concerning the sign of the Scales.

They assigned the sign of the Scales Libra for this reason: because so many seeds are gathered into the storehouses, which must be measured by the scales original: "librae".
Concerning the Scorpion.

They placed the scorpion Scorpio among the stars of the heavens so that its appearance original: "spes," here meaning its form or sight might be a lesson to men not to trust in anything. This creature, on account of the great size of its limbs, is divided into two signs, the front part of which they call the Scales; but altogether this

vowing of the sign was established for the reason mentioned above. For Jupiter, admiring its spirit original: "animositatem", made it a constellation. Its front arms are called claws original: "chele" or the Scales. It has a curved tail, and it is varied as if it sprinkles something Likely a reference to the scorpion's venom and is sent to the earth. It has nineteen stars, as is shown here following.