—Aratus.
The farmer and the sailor, especially, watched the rising and the setting of the stars and abided by the advice in Hesiod's "Works and Days":
"when the snail, in fear of the Pleiades, climbs up the young plants, sharpen your sickle for the harvest—"
"At the rising of the Atlas-born Pleiades begin harvesting but plowing when they set."
"When Atlas-born, the Pleiad stars arise
Before the sun above the dawning skies,
'Tis time to reap; and when they sink below
The mom-illumined west, 'tis time to sow."
The rising of Orion an hour and a half later was also a sign from heaven that the season for threshing had arrived.
"Forget not when Orion first appears
To make your servants thresh the sacred ears."
But when the giant is in midheaven it is time for vintage. At this time Orion has backed the Bull pretty far over in the west and the Greeks watch the frightened Pleiades drop into the sea. It is now a dangerous time for small crafts to venture forth.
"When the Pleiades, fleeing the mighty strength of Orion, fall into the murky sea"
make the boats secure for the sailing season is over.