2. Also called Dioscuri
Castor and Pollux were twin
brothers
Sons of Leda and Tyndareus
(according to another
version, Zeus)
3. Castor and Pollux
participated in
Argonautic Expedition,
helping Jason to find
the Golden Fleece.
During this trip, Pollux
defeated Amycus, the
king of the Bebryces.
The Argonaut Orpheus
prayed to the gods and
played his harp to stop
the sudden storm. The
storm ceased, and stars
appeared on the heads of
Castor and Pollux. Since
then, the twins are
considered patrons of
sailors.
4. The twins’ sister Helene
(later known as the
person who caused the
Troyan War) was
kidnapped by Theseus,
the king of Attica.
Castor and Pollux rescued
their sister.
5. Castor and Pollux wanted
to marry their cousins,
Phoebe and Hilaria.
However, these women had
been already promised to
two other cousins, Idas and
Lynceus.
Castor and Pollux took
Phoebe and Hilaria away to
Sparta.
Idas and Lynceus pursued
them.
In the fight Idas and
Lynceus were killed, and
Castor was fatally
wounded.
6. According to another
version, Castor, Pollux
and their cousins stole a
herd of cattle.
Idas wanted to cheat
Castor and Pollux while
dividing the herd.
A fight followed, during
which Castor, Idas and
Lynceus were killed.
When Castor died,
Pollux asked Zeus to
give Castor immortality.
So, the twins were
united in heaven.
7. In Greece, Pollux was called
Polydeuces.
In Greece, Castor and Polydeuces
were called Dioscuri, while in Rome
they were called Gemini.
In Rome, the twins were
worshipped. A Temple of Castor
and Pollux was constructed in
Rome.
In Rome, Castor and Pollux’s image
was printed on coins.