Chelsea Cresswell Y11 (London)
In Greek mythology, Castor and Pollux were twin half-brothers known together as the Dioscuri, meaning ‘youths of Zeus.’ There is much contradictory information about their parentage. While their mother was Leda, it is believed that they had different fathers. Zeus was the father of Pollux, having seduced Leda in the guise of a swan. Hence Pollux was divine. Tyndareus, King of Sparta, was the father of Castor. Hence Castor was mortal. Legend has it that Tyndareus slept with Leda on the same night as Zeus, which caused the confusion over the twins’ paternity. This also explains their other name, the Tyndaridae.
Castor and Pollux were involved in several famous episodes in Greek mythology. They accompanied Jason and the Argonauts on their successful mission to retrieve the Golden Fleece. On this mission, Pollux out-boxed the prodigiously strong King Amycus of Bebryces. Upon their return to Greece, the twins helped Jason destroy the city of Iolcus in revenge for the treachery of King Pelias. They also accompanied Meleager on the hunt for the Calydonian Boar. Later, they rescued their sister, Helen of Troy, who had been abducted by Theseus, and brought her back to Sparta. In revenge, they abducted Theseus’ mother Aethra and forced her to serve as Helen’s slave.
Later, Castor and Pollux fell in love with Phoebe and Hilaeira, the nieces of Leucippus. However, Phoebe and Hilaeira were already the consorts of their cousins, Lynceus and Idas. Nevertheless, Castor and Pollux abducted them and brought them back to Sparta, causing a family feud. Enraged, Lynceus and Idas attacked the region of Arcadia and claimed a herd of cattle from Castor and Pollux. Some time later, Lynceus and Idas visited their uncle’s palace. Castor and Pollux were there, together with Helen and Paris. Thinking that it was a good opportunity regain their cattle, Castor and Pollux left for their cousins’ home. Several hours later, Lynceus and Idas left too. Helen and Paris were left alone. This would eventually lead to the Trojan War.
When Castor and Pollux arrived at their cousins’ house, Castor climbed a tree to keep watch while Pollux began to free the cattle. However, as Lynceus and Idas approached, Lynceus spied Castor hiding in the tree. Idas and Lynceus immediately understood what was happening. Idas, furious, ambushed Castor, fatally wounding him with a blow from his spear – but not before Castor called out to warn Pollux. In the ensuing brawl, Pollux killed Lynceus. As Idas was about to kill Pollux, Zeus, who had been watching from Mount Olympus, hurled a thunderbolt at him, killing Idas and saving his son.
Zeus and Pollux then returned to the dying Castor. Zeus gave Pollux a choice. He could either remain divine and spend all his time on Mount Olympus or he could give half his mortality to his dying brother. Pollux chose the latter. This enabled the twins to travel back and forth between Olympus and Hades, alternating each day with one being alive and the other dead. They became the two brightest stars in the constellation Gemini, meaning ‘twins.’
Castor and Pollux were considered helpers of humankind. They became known as the patron saints of travellers and sailors, who invoked them to seek favourable winds. Their role as hunters, horsemen and boxers also led to them being regarded as the patron saints of warriors, athletes and athletic contests. They characteristically intervened at moments of crisis and aided those who honoured or trusted them.
The twins as part of the night sky, entrance to one of their temples, statue of the pair at Versailles.
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