Dioscuri

views updated Jun 08 2018

Dioscuri in Greek and Roman mythology the twins Castor and Pollux, born to Leda after her seduction by Zeus, and brothers of Helen. Castor was mortal, but Pollux was immortal; at Pollux's request they shared his immortality between them, spending half their time below the earth in Hades and the other half on Olympus. They are often identified with the constellation Gemini.

The name comes from Greek Dioskouroi ‘sons of Zeus’.

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