Dioscuri

Castor and Pollux or Polydeuces

Related Terms • Helen of Troy

Definition: The Dioscuri were the twin sons of Zeus and Leda or Tydareus and Leda. When Tyndareus is called the father, Castor and Polydeuces -- or Pollux, as he is known in Latin, are known as the Tyndaridae. Sometimes Castor is considered the son of Tyndareus and Polydeuces the son of Zeus, just as the Dioscuri's sister Clytemnestra is the daughter of Tyndareus, while their sister Helen of Troy is the daughter of Zeus.

Among their adventures, the Dioscuri went on an expedition to rescue their sister Helen of Troy from Theseus. The Dioscuri are also counted among the Argonauts.

Of the Dioscuri, the one, Castor, was a horse tamer and the other a boxer, but Castor died in a fight. Polydeuces, grief stricken about the loss of his twin, asked Zeus to kill him, too. Instead, the Dioscuri spend alternate days together. An alternate version of their deaths has Zeus make the Dioscuri the constellation of the Twins.

In Rome the Dioscuri -- Castor and Pollux -- were honored as gods and as expletives. Women only would swear by Castor.

Also Known As: Castor and Pollux, Castor and Polydeuces, Tyndaridae

Related Resources:

Homeric Hymn to the Dioscuri

A Second Homeric Hymn to the Dioscuri

Helen of Troy the Basics
Information about Helen of Troy and her family, Castor and Pollux, Clytemnestra, Tyndareus and Leda.

Elsewhere On The Web

Dioscuri - Encyclopedia Mythica

Dioscuri - Carlos Parada