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In Greek mythology, Merope () is one of the seven Pleiades, daughters of Atlas and Pleione. Pleione, their mother, is the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys and is the protector of sailors.〔(The Pleiades in mythology ), ''Pleiade.org''〕 Their transformation into the star cluster known as the Pleiades is the subject of varied myths. ==Among the Pleiades== In one story, the Pleiades, along with their half sisters the Hyades, were the virgin companions to Artemis. Artemis was the twin of Apollo and daughter of Leto and Zeus, and a protector of both hunters and wild animals. The Pleiades were nymphs, and along with their half sisters, were called Atlantides, Modonodes, or Nysiades and were the caretakers of the infant Bacchus.〔(Mythology of the Seven Sisters (Pleiads) ), National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (Arecibo Observatory)〕 Orion pursued the Pleiades named Maia, Electra, Taygete, Celaeno, Alcyone, Sterope, and Merope after he fell in love with their beauty and grace. Artemis asked Zeus to protect the Pleiades and in turn, Zeus turned them into stars. Artemis was angry because she no longer could see her companions and had her brother, Apollo, send a giant scorpion to chase and kill Orion. Zeus then turned Orion into a constellation to further pursue the Pleiades in the skies.〔(Pleiades, in Greek mythology ), ''InfoPlease''〕 In another legend, the sisters were transformed by Zeus into stars because Orion fell in love with them and relentlessly pursued their affection for 12 years. At first they were turned into doves, but later, along with Orion, into stars so that forever the hunter Orion would pursue them.〔http://www.pleiades.org/pleiades_02.html〕 In either legend the Pleiades were turned into stars and now, along with their half sisters, the Hyades (who died weeping for their dead brother Hyas), are part of the star constellation Taurus. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Merope (Pleiades)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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