Auriga (constellation) Auriga (constellation) Auriga is one of the 88 modern constellations; it was among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy. Located north of the celestial equator, its name is the Latin word for “the charioteer”, associating it with various mythological beings, including Erichthonius and Myrtilus. Auriga is most prominent during winter evenings in the northern Hemisphere, along with the five other constellations that have stars in the Winter Hexagon asterism. Because of its northern declination, Auriga is only visible in its entirety as far as 34° south; for observers farther south it lies partially or fully below the
Porphyrius the Charioteer 50s or 60s. Born in Libya in 480 AD, the son of a certain Calchas, Porphyrius was a very skilled and clever charioteer. He was described as a handsome youth, so handsome that even a goddess might fall in love with him. He had seven monuments built throughout his lifetime to honor him as a charioteer and a warrior. The statues/monuments contain several inscriptions which contain a myriad of information on Porphyrius; ranging from his physical appearance to the honours received him by the emperor to his success as a warrior. A great deal of the story of Porphyrius, and