Castor and Pollux are the twin siblings of Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra. In one version of the tale, Zeus seduces the twins' mother, Leda, by turning himself into a swan. Castor and Pollux were, in turn, born from the resulting eggs. In another, Leda finds the eggs and raises them as her own. Some versions of the tale have only Pollux being born of Zeus, and Castor by Leda's mortal husband, Tyndareus. This resulted in Pollux being immortal, and Castor not so. When Castor died, it was said that he and Pollux were not seperated, and Pollux in turn begged Zeus to share his gift with Castor.Castor was a great horseman, while Pollux was an accomplished boxer. Castor was the more venerated of the two brothers.Together, they are the Alpha and Beta stars of the constellation Gemini "The Twins".
In one version of the tale, Zeus seduces the twins' mother, Leda, by turning himself into a swan. Castor and Pollux were, in turn, born from the resulting eggs.
In another, Leda finds the eggs and raises them as her own. Some versions of the tale have only Pollux being born of Zeus, and Castor by Leda's mortal husband, Tyndareus. This resulted in Pollux being immortal, and Castor not so. When Castor died, it was said that he and Pollux were not seperated, and Pollux in turn begged Zeus to share his gift with Castor.
Castor was a great horseman, while Pollux was an accomplished boxer. Castor was the more venerated of the two brothers.
Together, they are the Alpha and Beta stars of the constellation Gemini "The Twins".