„The epic repeatedly evokes the idea that catasterism also entails a sortof immortalisation, which can serve as a reward or consolation for certain characters. Harmonia’s foster mother, Electra, hopes that one day she will join her sisters, the Pleiads, in the sky; her hope is qualified as ‘comforting’ or ‘consoling’ (παρήγορον ἐλπίδα, 3.351), while the idea that the sky will be her home (οὐρανὸν οἶκον ἔχουσα, 3.354) is certainly reminiscent of apotheosis. The Bacchante Ambrosia, thanks to whom Lycurgus is defeated, will, at the end, be catasterised (21.295–297) as a recompense for her long and arduous battle. Erigone’s dedication to her father is rewarded by Zeus, who takes pity on her and fixes her in the sky (47.246–247) or ‘joins’ her soul to the star of Virgo, while also catasterising her beloved dog as the Sirius star close by (47.257–262). Notice also that in the prophecy of Zeus cited above Dionysus’ apotheosis is first evoked in a phrase reminiscent of catasterism (in 7.97 Dionysus is predicted to ‘share the courses of the stars’, σύνδρομον ἄστρων). This is not to say, however, that catasterism is consistently portrayed as a serious alternative to death or as a state of perfect, blissful immortality. Apart from occasionally being attacked or chased by monsters, constellations can also continue suffering, in their astral form, what they suffered on earth. The most entertaining example comes in the context of the syncrisis between Dionysus and Perseus in Book 25.24 There, Andromeda herself complains that catasterism did her no good, as even in the stars she is chained up and persecuted by the sea monster, while the constellation of her mother, Cassiopeia, has to suffer being dipped into the sea, fearful of the Nereids (25.123–142)”
- Fotini Hadjittofi, „Major Themes and Motifs in the Dionysiaca”. In Accorinti (Ed.) Brill’s Companion to Nonnus of Panopolis
