He received his education from
the nymphs, who taught him to extract oil from olives, and
to make honey, cheese, and butter; all which arts he
communicated to mankind. Going to Thebes, he there married Autonoe, daughter of Cadmus, and, by her, was father to
Actaeon, who was torn in pieces by his own dogs. At length he
passed into Thrace, where Bacchus initiated him into the
mysteries of the Orgia, and taught him many things conducive
to the happiness of life. Having dwelt some time near Mount
Hemus, he disappeared, and not only the barbarous people of
that country, but the Greeks likewise decreed him divine
honors.
It is remarked by Bayle, that Aristaeus found out the
solstitial rising of Sirius, or the dog-star; and he adds,
it is certain that this star had a particular relation to
Aristaeus; for this reason, when the heats of the dog-star
laid waste the Cyclades, and occasioned there a pestilence,
Aristaeus was entreated to put a stop to it. He went directly
into the isle of Cea, and built an altar to Jupiter, offered
sacrifices to that deity, as well to the malignant star, and
established an anniversary for it. These produced a very
good effect, for it was from thence that the Etesian winds
had their origin, which continue forty days, and temper the
heat of the summer. On his death, for the services he had
rendered mankind, he was placed among the stars, and is the
Aquarius of the Zodiac.
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