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
Charioteer Papyrus as an illustration for the chariot race at the games at the funeral of Patroclus in the "Iliad." Charioteer Papyrus The Charioteer Papyrus (London, Egypt Exploration Society, s.n.) is a 5th-century fragment of an illustration from an unknown work of literature. It is one of the finest surviving fragments of classical book illustration. Unlike other surviving illustrated fragments of papyrus, such as the "Romance Papyrus" and the "Heracles Papyrus," which have illustrations that are little more than mere sketches, the "Charioteer Papyrus" is sensitively drawn and finely colored. It shows portions of six charioteers in red or green tunics. Although