Castor and Pollux

in Greek and Roman mythology, twin sons of Leda, wife of Tyndareus, and Zeus, who was said to have wooed Leda in the form of a swan. In Homer they are represented as sons of Leda and Tyndareus and brothers of Clytemnestra and the beautiful Helen of Troy.

Castor was famous for his skill in taming and managing horses; Pollux for knowledge of boxing and wrestling. The brothers were devotedly attached to each other and were inseparable companions in many adventures. They were among the heroes of the Argonautic expedition. On the voyage a terrible storm arose. While all were calling on the gods for assistance, two stars suddenly appeared above the heads of Castor and Pollux. The storm immediately subsided and thereafter the twin brothers were regarded as the special guardians of seamen. On their return from this expedition the brothers found that their sister Helen had been carried off by Theseus. They went to her rescue and were successful in bringing her home again.

According to another account Pollux only was the son of Zeus. He was therefore immortal; but Castor, the son of Tyndareus, was mortal. The brothers became involved in a quarrel with Idas and Lynceus. Castor was slain, and Pollux, inconsolable, besought Jupiter to allow him to die too, unless Castor might share his immortality. Zeus consented that the two might divide their time between the lower world and the abodes of the gods.

Still another story is that Zeus rewarded their fraternal affection by giving them a place among the stars. The two bright stars in the constellation Gemini, or "The Twins," are known as Castor and Pollux.

The brothers received divine honors, especially among the Dorians. They were called Dioscuri, Sons of Jove. It was believed that in time of battle or great peril they occasionally appeared to mortals mounted on magnificent white steeds, clad in shining garments, and with stars above their heads. It is thus they are represented in ancient art.

The electric flames sometimes seen to play about the masts of vessels during storms are often called Castor and Pollux. If only one flame appeared, the Romans called it Helen, and prophesied a continuation of the storm. If two flames were seen they were called Castor and Pollux, and boded a cessation of the storm. These lights are also called St. Elmo's fire. See St. Elmo'S Fire

The names Castor and Pollux are of frequent occurrence in literature. In Acts xxviii: 11, we find St. Paul embarking in a ship named Castor and Pollux.

. . . . . . . . . .