Cassiopeia, Cepheus, and Andromeda (Catasterism)

Catalogue ID: 05-local-and-lesser/104-cassiopeia-cepheus-andromeda-catasterism

Cycle: Local and lesser — astral aetiology / Perseus cycle

Version line: Catasterismic handbook — royal Ethiopian family placed in the stars

Sources: Eratosthenes, *Catasterismi* 15–17, 36 (Andromeda, Cepheus, Cassiopeia; Cetus); Hyginus, *Astronomica* 2.9–11; Apollodorus, *Library* 2.4.3 (myth background)

Source file: /workspace/greek-myth-catalogue/05-local-and-lesser/104-cassiopeia-cepheus-andromeda-catasterism.md

Characters

Amphitrite — offended parties behind the original punishment
Andromeda — daughter; constellation
Cassiepea — mother; constellation (chair)
Cepheus — father; constellation
Perseus — hero; related constellation (cross-ref)
The sea-monster — sea-monster; constellation

Places

Ethiopia — earthly setting of the myth
The deep — constellations Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Andromeda, Cetus

Themes

Binding

Narrative

After Perseus rescued Andromeda from the sea-monster, catasterismic tradition set the family among the constellations: Cassiopeia (the boastful mother who claimed beauty above the Nereids) seated in her chair—sometimes half-inverted as eternal chastisement; Cepheus the father as a nearby king-figure; Andromeda in chains’ posture among the stars; and Cetus the monster as the sea-beast constellation. Perseus himself is a separate hero-constellation with Medusa’s head (Gorgoneion / Caput Medusae). The sky-myth freezes the Ethiopian (or Joppa-localized) drama as a year-round reminder. Catalogue the family’s catasterism apart from the rescue narrative.