CASTOR AND POLLUX (the latter called by the Greeks Polydeuces), the sons of Tyndareus, King of Lacedaemon, and Leda, or, according to some, of Zeus and Leda. The fable runs that Leda to whom the god came in the form of a swan brought forth two eggs, one of which contained Pollux apd Helen, the other Castor and Clytemnestra. Pollux and Helen, being the offspring of Zeus, were immortal; but Castor and Clytemnestra were begotten by Tyndareus, and mortal. Homer's account is that both Castor and Pollux were the sons of Tyndareus, and that Helen was the daughter of Zeus. The two brothers were inseparable companions, equally brave and spirited, and attached to each other with the fondest affection. Castor was particularly skilled in the art of breaking horses, and Pot lux in boxing and wrestling. They were among the heroes of the Argonautic expedition, in which they acquired divine honors; for a terrible tempest having arisen on the voyage, and all with loud voices calling on the gods to save them, there suddenly appeared over the heads of Castor and Pollux two star like me teors, and the tempest subsided. From this time they were the patron deities of mariners, and received the name of Dioscuri ("sons of Zeus') ; and from them the name of Castor and Pollux was given to the fires that are often seen on the masts of vessels in storms, and which are electrical phenomena. After their return they released their sister Helen from the confinement in which Theseus had for some time held her. They were also among the he roes of the Calydonian hunt. They wooed the daughters of Leucippus, Phcebe and Hilaeira or Elmira, and carried them off and married them.
Having become involved in a quarrel with Ides and Lynceus, the sons of Aphareus, Castor killed Lynceus, and was slain by Idas. Pollux revenged his brother's death by killing Ides, but full of grief for the loss of Castor, he besought Zeus either to take away his life or grant that his brother might share his immor tality. Zeus listened to his request, and Pollux and his brother alternately resided one day on earth and the other in the heavenly abodes of the gods. It is doubtful whether the an dents understood them as being together or separate in their alternate passage between the upper and lower worlds. The former opinion seems to be the older; the latter to have gained ground subsequently. Temples and altars were consecrated to them. In great perils, especially in battles, the ancients believed that they fre quently appeared to mortals as two youths on white steeds, in shining garments, with meteors over their heads. They were also represented side by side, either riding or standing, each holding a horse by the rein, with spears in their hands and stars on their heads. Rome accorded them special homage because of their supposed assistance at the battle of Lake Regil lus. In the heavens the Dioscuri appear as one of the 12 constellations of the zodiac, with the name of Gemini the Twins). Con sult Albert, (Le culte de Castor et Pollux en (1&83); Paton, (De Cultu Dioscurorum apud Grmcos) (Bonn 1894).