Orion (mythology)

Orion was a giant in Greek mythology, a son of Poseidon. He was best known as the constellation Orion, which was named after him. (PROSE: Introduction and links)

According to one myth, Artemis fell in love with Orion, but her twin brother Apollo tricked her into firing an arrow at him while Orion was swimming in the ocean, killing him; Artemis then placed his body in the heavens to become the constellation. (PROSE: Byzantium!) In another, conflicting myth, Orion angered Artemis, either by trying to rape one of her handmaidens or by claiming to be a better archer than the goddess; Artemis sent a giant scorpion to kill him, and rewarded it by placing it in the sky as the constellation Scorpio. One writer, discussing this version, speculated that Artemis was disappointed when Orion was similarly immortalised. (PROSE: Introduction and links)