Origin Bronze Age Mesopotamia (c. 2000 BCE) through Hellenistic codification (2nd century CE, Ptolemy's Almagest).
Angels seven through twelve in the traditional Shemhamphorasch order, Achaiah, Cahetel, Haziel, Aladiah, Lauviah and Hahaiah, under the zodiacal quinance division: this sign's six five-degree arcs. As with every sign in this tree, the grouping follows one named tradition among several contested ones for dividing these seventy two names; see the Aries subcategory note for the alternatives. Belongs here: the sixth through twelfth angel in the canonical order. Does not belong here: an angel assigned to any other sign, or a non-Shemhamphorasch angelic entity.
Facts
Origins
Origin PeriodBronze Age Mesopotamia (c. 2000 BCE) through Hellenistic codification (2nd century CE, Ptolemy's Almagest).
Era of CompositionRecognized as a zodiacal constellation since at least the Bronze Age, c. 2000 BCE, in Babylonian astronomy.
Place of OriginAncient Mesopotamia (Sumer and Babylon).
LanguageNamed from Latin taurus ("bull"), via Greek Tauros, reflecting the earlier Akkadian/Sumerian "Bull of Heaven" (GU4.AN.NA).
Origin of the NameLatin taurus, "bull", translating the Greek Tauros and the earlier Akkadian/Sumerian "Bull of Heaven" (GU4.AN.NA).
Whose Classification This IsPtolemy's 2nd-century CE Almagest fixed it among the classical constellations later standardized by the IAU (1922/1930); the 12-sign zodiac and its governing-angel associations derive from Hellenistic astrology and later Jewish Kabbalistic tradition (the 72-name Shem ha-Mephorash).
Overview
What Defines This GroupingGroups the Shem ha-Mephorash angel(s) whose five-degree zodiacal segment falls within Taurus (April 20 to May 20) in the traditional 72-angel system.
Peoples and Traditions CoveredMesopotamian, Hellenistic Greek, and later Jewish Kabbalistic traditions.
Attestation
Era of AttestationAttested in the Babylonian MUL.APIN star catalogue (c. 1000 BCE) and in earlier Bronze Age Mesopotamian sources.
Status
Status TodayStill recognized today as one of the 88 IAU-designated constellations and as one of the 12 signs of the tropical Western zodiac (April 20 to May 20).
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Taurus
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