Castor
Mortal twin of the Dioscuri, famous horse tamer who shared immortality with Polydeuces
The Legend of Castor
Castor was one of the Dioscuri, twin brother of Polydeuces, born to Leda of Sparta. In the common tradition, Castor was the mortal son of King Tyndareus while Polydeuces was the immortal son of Zeus, both conceived on the same night. Castor was renowned as a horse tamer and rider without equal. The twins joined the Argonauts, rescued their sister Helen from Theseus, and participated in the Calydonian Boar Hunt. During a cattle raid dispute with their cousins Idas and Lynceus, Castor was killed by Idas. Polydeuces, devastated, begged Zeus to let him share his immortality. Zeus arranged for the brothers to alternate between Olympus and Hades, spending eternity together.
Parents
Leda and Tyndareus
Symbols
Fun Fact
The constellation Gemini preserves the twins, with the star Castor slightly dimmer — reflecting his mortal nature
Explore Further
Castor and Pollux
🗡 heroThe divine twins who share immortality
The twin brothers of Helen — one mortal, one divine — who shared immortality by alternating between Olympus and Hades.
Iphicles
🗡 heroMortal twin of Heracles
Iphicles was the mortal twin brother of Heracles — born the same night to the same mother but fathered by a mortal, creating the perfect contrast to divine strength.
Dioscuri
🗡 heroCastor and Pollux, the divine twins
The Dioscuri were twin brothers — Castor (mortal) and Pollux (divine) — inseparable in life, who chose to share immortality by alternating between Olympus and Hades.
Polydeuces
🗡 heroNone recorded
Immortal twin of the Dioscuri and the greatest boxer in Greek mythology
Aloeus
🗡 heroFarming, Giant-Fathers, Hubris
Thessalian king whose twin stepsons the Aloadae nearly defeated the Olympian gods.
Proetus
🗡 heroNone recorded
A king of Tiryns who quarrelled with his twin brother Acrisius over the throne of Argos, an enmity that began in the womb and persisted throughout their lives
Bucolion
🗡 heroHerding, nobility
Eldest but illegitimate son of the Trojan king Laomedon who was raised among herdsmen
Alexiares
🗡 heroNone recorded
A son of Heracles and Hebe born on Mount Olympus after Heracles' deification, serving as a divine guardian against war
Erichthonius
🗡 heroNone recorded
Earth-born king of Athens raised by Athena, credited with inventing the four-horse chariot
Calais
🗡 heroWind, flight
Winged son of Boreas the North Wind who sailed with the Argonauts and drove off the Harpies
Leucippus of Messene
🗡 heroFatherhood, Daughters, Spartan Rivalry
Messenian king whose daughters Hilaeira and Phoebe were carried off by Castor and Polydeuces.
Glaucus of Corinth
🗡 heroHorses, Hybris, Divine Punishment
Corinthian king and charioteer who fed his mares on human flesh; they devoured him during the funeral games of Pelias.