Discovering our Sun: From the most important god to a mere dwarf star

Abstract This is a graphic description of the Sun as a source of fascination and awe since the very early civilisations with its importance for life and the horror of seeing it disappearing in the middle of the day and how ancient generations followed its movements throughout the year, building clever monuments to mark its rising and setting position on the horizon. The principles of astrology are dealt with and the amazing intuition of ancient Greek philosophers who suggested that the Sun could be a nearby star is admired. The journey ends by placing the Sun amongst the stars in a wonderful confluence of myth, art and science.