Castor and Pollux

Home > ... > Literature and the Arts > Classical Literature, Mythology, and Folklore > Folklore and Mythology > ...

Castor and Pollux

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) 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.

Hide all research tools
Print this article Print all entries for this topic Cite this article Link to this article
Link to this article

CloseClose

Create a link to this page

Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:

<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/.aspx#1E1-CastorNP" title="Facts and information about Castor and Pollux">Castor and Pollux</a>

Add this article to Del.icio.usBookmark this article on DiigoShare this article on FacebookSubmit this article to RedditGive this article a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"Castor and Pollux." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 30 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Castor and Pollux." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (November 30, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-CastorNP.html

"Castor and Pollux." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-CastorNP.html

Learn more about citation styles

Castor and Pollux

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | © The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable 2006, originally published by Oxford University Press 2006. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Castor and Pollux in Greek mythology, the twin sons of Jupiter and Leda and brothers of Helen, the Dioscuri.
Hide all research tools
Print this article Print all entries for this topic Cite this article Link to this article
Link to this article

CloseClose

Create a link to this page

Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:

<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/.aspx#1O214-CastorandPollux" title="Facts and information about Castor and Pollux">Castor and Pollux</a>

Add this article to Del.icio.usBookmark this article on DiigoShare this article on FacebookSubmit this article to RedditGive this article a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Castor and Pollux." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 30 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Castor and Pollux." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (November 30, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-CastorandPollux.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Castor and Pollux." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Retrieved November 30, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-CastorandPollux.html

Learn more about citation styles

Castor and Pollux

A Dictionary of the Bible | 1997 | | © A Dictionary of the Bible 1997, originally published by Oxford University Press 1997. (Hide copyright information) 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.
Hide all research tools
Print this article Print all entries for this topic Cite this article Link to this article
Link to this article

CloseClose

Create a link to this page

Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:

<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/.aspx#1O94-CastorandPollux" title="Facts and information about Castor and Pollux">Castor and Pollux</a>

Add this article to Del.icio.usBookmark this article on DiigoShare this article on FacebookSubmit this article to RedditGive this article a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Castor and Pollux." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 30 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Castor and Pollux." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (November 30, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-CastorandPollux.html

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Castor and Pollux." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved November 30, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-CastorandPollux.html

Learn more about citation styles

Related research questions

Related topics

  Edit this list

Related articles from newspapers, magazines, and more

Castor & Pollux Pet Works[R] again on Inc.'s Fast-Growing List.
Newspaper article from: Agriculture Week; 10/8/2009; 700+ words ; ...natural pet products company Castor & Pollux Pet Works[R] has been named...founding sponsor last year, Castor & Pollux has donated more than 750...in shelters. Castor & Pollux' ORGANIX foods have been named...
Castor & Pollux[R] Dog Cookies Earn Editors' Choice Honors.
Newspaper article from: Veterinary Week; 11/9/2009; 615 words ; Castor & Pollux Pet Works[R] has been...read dog magazine. Castor & Pollux was recognized for innovation...need. Since its founding, Castor & Pollux has donated more...Financial, Investing, Castor & Pollux Pet Works, Consumer, Finance...
Castor & Pollux[R] Tops Half-Million-Meal Mark for Freekibble.
Newspaper article from: Food Weekly News; 6/25/2009; 700+ words ; ...natural pet food brand Castor & Pollux has broken the half...each purchase, Castor & Pollux donates...About Castor & Pollux Pet Works Founded...Soul foundation, Castor & Pollux has...Castor & Pollux Pet Works&...
Castor & Pollux[R] Launches Natural Ultramix[R] Line in Natural Grocery.
Newspaper article from: Biotech Week; 10/7/2009; 700+ words ; Castor & Pollux Pet Works[R] introduces...augmenting Castor & Pollux' ORGANIX[R] offering...and natural pet products, Castor & Pollux Pet Works...company. About Castor & Pollux Pet Works Founded in 2000...
Castor & Pollux Gains Top Product Honors in Grocery.
Business Wire; 11/9/2009; 700+ words ; ...Grocer has named two Castor & Pollux Pet Works[R] products...said Shelley Gunton, Castor & Pollux co-founder...OR-based Castor & Pollux Pet Works is the leader...Recently, Castor & Pollux was named to Inc. magazine...
Castor & Pollux, freekibble Take a Nip at Pet Shelter Hunger.
Newspaper article from: Veterinary Week; 3/16/2009; 677 words ; ...Samaritan freekibble, Castor & Pollux Pet Works[R] and freekibble...cookies, Castor & Pollux will donate a kibble...amp; Soul foundation, Castor & Pollux has donated...Keywords: Castor & Pollux Pet Works. This article...
Castor & Pollux[R] Adds to Organic Pet Product Lineup.
Newspaper article from: Veterinary Week; 3/16/2009; 700+ words ; Castor & Pollux Pet Works[R] expands...Clackamas, OR-based Castor & Pollux Pet...Soul foundation, Castor & Pollux has...com Castor & Pollux Pet Works 1-800...Castor & Pollux Pet Works. This...
Castor & Pollux Dog Cookies Receive Editors' Choice Honors.
Magazine article from: Food & Beverage Close-Up; 11/6/2009; 443 words ; Castor & Pollux Pet Works has been recognized for introducing...Dog Fancy is a dog magazine. Castor & Pollux was recognized for creativity and originality...each box of the dog cookies, Castor & Pollux donates a meal to Freekibble, a non...
Top Pet Food Watchdog Recommends Castor & Pollux.
Newspaper article from: Food Weekly News; 2/26/2009; 700+ words ; ...seal of approval on Castor & Pollux Pet Works[R...Clackamas, OR-based Castor & Pollux Pet...Soul foundation, Castor & Pollux has...com Castor & Pollux Pet Works 1-800...Castor & Pollux Pet Works. This...
Doubling Revenue Annually, Castor & Pollux Pet Works Grows Faster Than a Labrador Puppy.
Business Wire; 8/28/2007; 700+ words ; ...and organic pet food, Castor & Pollux Pet Works is growing...organic pet food line, Castor & Pollux Pet Works...increased demand overseas, Castor & Pollux Pet Works...possible. Castor & Pollux donates food, financial...
Click to see an enlarged picture
Castor and Pollux. (Image by Lalupa, GFDL)

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Popular on Newser: