João wrote:
> This is a list of IE etymologies of constellations' and stars'
names, not
> PIE names for stars and constellations.
> This is a problem that ever interest me, because I think IE must
have common
> names for the planets and main stars and star-groups.
> Is there any Germanic/Slavic name for stars and planets?
>
> The Sanskrit has names for the Zodiac, but I think these names are
> addaptations from Greek or Sumerian astrology. The Greek astrology
itself
> have ancient Sumerian roots.
>
> Mesha - "ram" Aries
> Vrs.abha - "bull" Taurus
> Mithuna: "twins" Gemini
> Karka - "crab" Cancer
> Simha - "lion" Leo
> Kanya "maiden" Virgo
> Tula: Libra
> Vrscika "scorpion" SCorpio
> Dhanus "archer" Sagittarius
> Makara "sea monster, half-fish, half-antelope" Capricornus
> Kumbha "Waterpot"Aquarius
> Mina "Fish" Pisces
Astronomy as a science of the stars seems to have all begun with the
Sumerians. Even Egyptian astronomy seems to have adapted a Sumerian
pattern of constellations (with minor adaptations eg
Atum=horizon=Lybra etc). The Sumerians created a science
of "astrology", by consciously looking at associations amongst events
and what was happening with the planets at the time. eg. The Gutian
invasion at the end of the Akkadian dynasty occurred when the stars
were at x, and planet a were in y constellation etc etc. This was
important as the Sumerian word for god (DINGIR) was portrayed
icinographicaly as a 4 pointed star. In this way the idea was that
the Gods were warning rulers of auspicious or inauspicious occasions
(to be prepared for).
The wonderful things about the cuneiform tablets containing this
information is that it gives modern scientists the chance to create
absolute dates for particular events. It was the "power" of
this "science" that enabled Sumerian astronomy to spread to the west
(Egypt) and east (India), as well as moving north (Greece and the
steppes).
Thus Sumerian concepts of astronomy at an early date drove out any
indigenous concepts of star names or constellations. Of course, this
Sumerian science was spread by the Akkadians, ensuring that the
Akkadian Ishtar (Venus) spread to become the word for *xster-. We
are here dealing with a wanderword that did not need to spread with
the first farming, but which spread rapidly from 3,500 BCE.
Hope this helps
John