Cerberus is an obsoleteconstellation created byHevelius in the 17th century, whose stars are now included in the constellationHercules. It was depicted as a three-headed snake thatHercules is holding in his hand. The constellation is no longer in use. This constellation "figure typified the serpent ... infesting the country around Taenarum the Μέτωπον of Greece, the modernCape Matapan."[1] The presence of Cerberus (Kerberos) at Taenarum (Tainaron) is mentioned byStrabo,Statius, andSeneca the Younger.[2]John Senex combined this constellation with the likewise obsolete constellationRamus Pomifer, an apple branch held by Hercules, in his 1721 star map to create "Cerberus et Ramus".[3]
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