Castor and Pollux (gr. Dioskouroi). Hero twins, sons of Leda, deified in Greek and Roman mythology. According to different legends, their father was Zeus or a king of Sparta, Tyndareus; according to a 3rd legend, this 219 was the father of Castor and Zeus the father of Pollux. Castor was an expert horse tamer and was killed in a fight; Pollux, a famous fighter (pugilist) who chose to share his immortality with his brother. They were worshiped under the Latin name Dioscuri (Dióscuros or Beavers) or Greek Dióskouroi. They were also considered as patron deities of sailors. It is not certain whether the ship in which Paul traveled from Malta to Italy bore the name of Dioskouroi or had an image of the twins adorning its prow (Act 28:11; “Dioscuros”, NJB). One of the most famous temples in Rome, built at the beginning of the Republic period and restored several times during the Empire, was dedicated to Castor and Pollux. It is located in the Roman Forum in the exact place where, according to local tradition, the Dioscuri had appeared in the form of 2 young men on horseback who announced the victory of the Roman army by Lake Regilo (c 449 BC). Three columns of this temple are still standing (fig. 119). 119. Three columns, still standing, from the temple dedicated to Castor Pollux in the Roman Forum. in the background, the Palestinian hill.
Source: Evangelical Bible Dictionary
(Gr., dioskysroi, sons of Zeus). In Greek mythology they were children of Zeus and Leda, one of his numerous wives. Castor was a horseman and Pollux a boxer. Later they were placed in the sky in the constellation called Gemini, “the Twins”, and were considered patron deities favorable to sailors, a fact that explains why the ship mentioned in Acts 28:11, in which Paul sailed, was named in his honor. Saint Elm’s fire used to be credited to Castor and Pollux.
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
Characters from Greek mythology. On his journey to Rome, Paul sailed from the island of † ¢ Malta to Puteoli in an Alexandrian ship † œwhich he had for ensign C. and P. † (Acts 28:11). According to mythology, Leda, their mother, had a son with Jupiter (Pólux) and another with King Tyndareus (Castor). The first heroic action of C. and P. was to destroy the piracy that infested the Aegean Sea. For that reason they were considered patron gods of sailors. It was also believed that the constellation “Gemini” (the Twins) corresponded to these gods. Seeing her in the middle of a storm was supposed to be a sign of good luck.
Source: Christian Bible Dictionary
guy, GOD
vet, Two twin gods of Greek and Roman mythology, considered as protectors of sailors; they were also called the Dioscoros (Acts 28:11).
Source: New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
(gr. godkouroi, lit. ‘sons of Zeus’). The ensign of the Alexandrian ship in which Paul sailed from Malta to Puteoli on his journey to Rome (Acts 28:11). °ba translates “Twin Brothers” (see also. °vrv3 mg). According to the mythology gr. They were the children of Leda. They were especially worshiped in Sparta and were considered special protectors of seafarers. It is probable that the respective images of these gods were attached to each side of the prow of the ship.
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Douglas, J. (2000). New Biblical Dictionary: First Edition. Miami: United Bible Societies.
Source: New Bible Dictionary