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Castor and Pollux

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Castor and Pollux , in classical mythology, twin heroes called the Dioscuri; Castor was the son of Leda and Tyndareus, Pollux the son of Leda and Zeus. They were brothers to Helen and Clytemnestra. Castor excelled as a horseman and Pollux as a boxer. They were great warriors and were noted for their devotion to each other. In one version of the legend, after Castor was killed by Lynceus, Pollux, in accordance with the classical tradition that one of every set of twins is the son of a god and thus immortal, begged Zeus to allow his brother to share his immortality with him. Zeus arranged for the twins to divide their time evenly between Hades and Heaven, and in their honor he created the constellation Gemini. According to another legend, Castor was killed by Idas. The Dioscuri were widely regarded as patrons of mariners and were responsible for Saint Elmo's fire . They were especially honored by the Romans, on whose side they were said to have appeared miraculously during the battle of Lake Regillus.

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Castor and Pollux

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

Castor and Pollux (Dioscuri) In Greek mythology, the twin sons of Leda. They were invoked by sailors seeking favourable winds. Zeus, father of Pollux, transformed them into the Gemini constellation after Castor died and Pollux refused to be parted from him.

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Castor and Pollux

A Dictionary of the Bible | 1997 | | Copyright

Castor and Pollux The name (REB) of the ship of Alexandria in which Paul sailed from Malta (Acts 28: 11) with these twin brothers (NRSV) as figurehead. In Greek mythology they were the sons of the god Zeus and brothers of Helen.

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W. R. F. BROWNING. "Castor and Pollux." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Castor and Pollux." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-CastorandPollux.html

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Castor and Pollux." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-CastorandPollux.html

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Castor and Pollux

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

Castor and Pollux in Greek mythology, the twin sons of Jupiter and Leda and brothers of Helen, the Dioscuri.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Castor and Pollux." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Castor and Pollux." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-CastorandPollux.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Castor and Pollux." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-CastorandPollux.html

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