Callisto (mythology)

Callisto in Greek mythology was a nymph of Arcadia, a daughter of Lycaon or Nycteus. She was a follower of Artemis (Diana in Roman mythology), the goddess of the hunt, and swore a vow of chastity.

Callisto's story is marked by tragedy. She was seduced or raped (accounts vary) by Zeus (Jupiter in Roman mythology). To conceal his infidelity from his wife Hera (Juno), Zeus transformed himself into Artemis and approached Callisto. Once he had his way with her, he revealed his true form.

When Callisto's pregnancy became apparent, Artemis, enraged that her vow of chastity had been broken, banished her from the hunt. According to some versions, Artemis herself transformed Callisto into a bear as punishment.

Later, Callisto, still in bear form, encountered her son Arcas, who was hunting. Unaware that the bear was his mother, Arcas was about to kill her when Zeus intervened. To prevent the matricide and to honor Callisto, Zeus transformed both Callisto and Arcas into constellations, Ursa Major (the Great Bear) and Ursa Minor (the Little Bear), respectively.

Hera, still jealous, persuaded the sea god Poseidon (Neptune) never to let the constellations rest in the ocean, thus explaining why Ursa Major and Ursa Minor are circumpolar constellations and never set below the horizon in many northern latitudes.

Callisto's story is a common theme in art and literature, often exploring themes of innocence, betrayal, divine power, and transformation.