#botein

Aries, which is Latin for "ram", is one of the original 48 constellations set down by Greek astronomer Ptolemy. However, this part of the sky has always been see as a ram, since at least the ancient Babylonians. The ancient Egyptians saw it as the god Amun-Ra, a man with a ram's head and the god of fertility and creativity.

In Greek mythology, Aries was the golden ram that rescued Phrixus and Helles on orders from Hermes. Phrixus and Helles were the son and daughter of King Athamas. His new wife, Ino, wished to kill his children from an earlier marriage and so faked a prophecy from the Oracle of Delphi that said to sacrifice these children. Right before they were to be killed, Hermes sent a golden ram to save both kids, although Helles fell off Aries' back during the flight and drowned in the Dardanelles.

The few named stars are, in order of brightness:

Hamal (α Arietis), a solitary orange giant star about 66 light years away. It likely has a planet orbiting it, about twice the mass of Jupiter. The name comes from the Arabic rās al-ħamal meaning "head of the ram."

Sheratan (β Arietis) is a binary star system about 58 light years away. It consists of a blue-white giant and a yellow Sun-like star. The name comes from the Arabic aš-šaraţān meaning "the two signs."

Bharani (41 Arietis) is a triple star system about 166 light years away. The primary star is a blue giant. The name comes from the Sanskrit word bharaṇī (भरणी) meaning "the bearer."

Botein (δ Arietis) is a solitary orange giant star about 165 light years away. Its name comes from the Arabic Al Buṭayn meaning "the belly."

Lilii Borea (39 Arietis) is a solitary orange giant star about 172 light years away. Its name is Latin for "in the north of Lilium," which was a former constellation.