Sirio stella spaventosa. Nota a Germ. Phaen. 333-340

This article examines Germanicus’ portrayal of Sirius within his description of the Canis Major constellation. In contrast to his Greek model, the Latin author intensifies the emotional dimension of the passage while placing less emphasis on astronomical details. The Dog Star is presented as a source of terror, both for its dazzling light and for the destructive heat it generates, assuming almost monstrous traits. The study first investigates the literary models that shape this representation, focusing on Virgil’s influence on the one hand and on relations with the Latin Aratean tradition on the other. It then considers how Germanicus’ emphasis on emotional response contributes to the transmission of scientific content, as seen in comparison with Manilius’ Astronomica. The analysis suggests that Germanicus’ intention was to reproduce in the text the experience of observing the sky.