The Story of Castor
Castor was one of the twin brothers known as the Dioscuri, the sons of Leda, queen of Sparta. Zeus visited Leda in the form of a swan, and in the most common telling, Pollux and Helen were children of Zeus, while Castor and Clytemnestra were children of Leda's mortal husband Tyndareus. This made Castor mortal and his twin brother immortal.
Castor was famed as a master of horses, while Pollux was a champion boxer. When their young sister Helen was carried off by Theseus, the twins marched on Attica, rescued her and brought her safely home to Sparta. They also joined Jason on the Argo in search of the Golden Fleece and took part in the Calydonian Boar Hunt.
The twins later quarreled with their cousins Idas and Lynceus, in some tellings over a herd of stolen cattle and in others over two brides. Idas killed Castor with a spear, and Pollux killed Lynceus before Zeus struck Idas down with a thunderbolt. Grieving, Pollux begged Zeus to let him die with his brother.
Zeus offered Pollux a choice: he could live forever on Olympus, or share his immortality with Castor. Pollux chose to share it. From then on the twins spent one day among the gods and the next in the underworld, always together.
Zeus placed the brothers in the sky as the constellation Gemini. Sailors prayed to them for safe voyages and saw their presence in the glowing light that sometimes plays around a ship's mast in a storm. They were honored at Sparta, and the Romans built them a famous temple in the Forum after they were said to have helped Rome win a battle.
Famous Myths About Castor
Rescuing Helen
When their sister Helen was still a girl, Theseus carried her off to Athens. Castor and his twin Pollux marched on Attica, rescued her, and brought her safely home to Sparta.
The Voyage of the Argo
Castor and Pollux sailed with Jason on the Argo in search of the Golden Fleece. Castor was celebrated as the finest horseman of the crew, while his brother was its champion boxer.
The Twins Divided
The twins quarreled with their cousins Idas and Lynceus over cattle, and in the fight Idas killed Castor, who was mortal. Pollux begged Zeus to let him share his immortality, so the brothers alternate between Olympus and the Underworld and shine together as the constellation Gemini.
Castor's Family Tree
Parents of Castor
Partners of Castor
Children of Castor
Frequently Asked Questions About Castor
Who was Castor in Greek mythology?
Castor was one of the Dioscuri, the twin brothers of Sparta. He was a famous horseman, and with his twin Pollux he protected sailors at sea.
Who were Castor's parents?
Castor and Pollux were sons of Leda, queen of Sparta. Castor was usually called the mortal son of King Tyndareus, while Pollux was the immortal son of Zeus.
What happened when Castor died?
Castor was killed in a fight with their cousins Idas and Lynceus. Pollux begged Zeus to let him share his immortality with his brother, so the twins spend alternate days on Olympus and in the underworld, and they became the constellation Gemini.
Did the Romans worship Castor?
Yes. The Romans kept his Greek name and honored him and his twin with the Temple of Castor and Pollux in the Roman Forum.
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