Named for the central figure of the Arthurian legends of medieval England. In his youth, Arthur pulled the sword Excalibur {see planet  (9499)} out of a rock where all others had failed. This feat entitled him to become king. He established a castle at Camelot {see planet  (9500)} wherein he placed a Round Table, around which all knights who were worthy sat as equals with Arthur, and for many years the kingdom flourished in this spirit of democracy. (M 7157) _ _.