Kallisto facts for kids

Kallisto or Callisto was a beautiful nymph in Greek mythology. She was a close friend and companion of the goddess Artemis, who was known as the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and wild animals. Kallisto was part of Artemis's group of followers, who all promised to remain unmarried.

Who Was Kallisto?

Kallisto was a nature spirit, a type of nymph often linked to forests and springs. She was known for her beauty and her skill as a hunter, just like Artemis. Nymphs in Greek myths were often seen as young, lovely maidens who lived in natural places.

Kallisto and the Gods

Kallisto's story is closely tied to the powerful gods of Mount Olympus, especially Zeus and his wife, Hera.

Zeus's Trickery

Zeus, the king of the gods, noticed Kallisto's beauty. To get close to her, he used a clever trick. Zeus disguised himself as Artemis, Kallisto's trusted goddess. Because of this trick, Kallisto later became the mother of a son named Arkas.

Hera's Jealousy and Revenge

When Hera, Zeus's wife, found out about Kallisto and her son, she became very angry. Hera was known for her fierce jealousy, especially when Zeus was involved with other nymphs or goddesses. In her rage, Hera decided to punish Kallisto. She used her divine powers to transform Kallisto into a large, shaggy bear.

The Fate of Arkas

After Kallisto was turned into a bear, her young son Arkas was left without his mother. Another kind nymph named Maia took care of Arkas. Maia was known for raising young gods and heroes. Arkas grew up to be a skilled hunter, not knowing that the bear he sometimes saw was his own mother.

Kallisto in the Stars

The story of Kallisto and Arkas has a special ending in the night sky. Years later, Arkas was hunting and almost killed his mother, who was still in bear form. To prevent this tragedy, Zeus intervened. He took both Kallisto (as the bear) and Arkas and placed them among the stars.

Kallisto became the constellation Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear. Arkas became the constellation Ursa Minor, or the Little Bear. This way, they could remain together forever in the heavens, safe from Hera's anger.