Polydeuces
Immortal twin of the Dioscuri and the greatest boxer in Greek mythology
The Legend of Polydeuces
Polydeuces, known as Pollux in the Roman tradition, was the immortal son of Zeus and Leda, twin brother of the mortal Castor. He was the supreme boxer of the ancient world. During the voyage of the Argo, he defeated the brutal King Amycus of the Bebryces, who forced all visitors to box him to the death. Polydeuces killed him with a blow above the ear. When his beloved brother Castor was killed in a fight with their cousins Idas and Lynceus, Polydeuces refused immortality without him. Zeus granted a compromise: the twins would alternate between the realm of the dead and Mount Olympus, united forever. They were worshipped as protectors of sailors and horsemen.
Parents
Zeus and Leda
Symbols
Fun Fact
He gave up half his immortality so he would never have to exist without his mortal brother
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
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.
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.
Castor
🗡 heroNone recorded
Mortal twin of the Dioscuri, famous horse tamer who shared immortality with Polydeuces
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.
Mecisteus
🗡 heroNone recorded
Argive warrior and boxer who competed at the funeral games of Oedipus at Thebes
Aloeus
🗡 heroFarming, Giant-Fathers, Hubris
Thessalian king whose twin stepsons the Aloadae nearly defeated the Olympian gods.
Alexiares
🗡 heroNone recorded
A son of Heracles and Hebe born on Mount Olympus after Heracles' deification, serving as a divine guardian against war
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
Eryx
🗡 heroBoxing, City Foundation, Sicily
Sicilian king and champion boxer, son of Aphrodite, killed by Heracles in a wrestling match.
Euryalus
🗡 heroBoxing, Argive warfare
Son of Mecisteus who commanded part of the Argive contingent and won the boxing match at Patroclus's funeral games
Amycus
🗡 heroBoxing, brutality
Savage king of the Bebryces who challenged all visitors to a boxing match and was defeated by Polydeuces
Phocus of Aegina
🗡 heroAthletic Rivalry, Fratricide, Eponymous Hero
Son of Aeacus killed by his half-brothers Peleus and Telamon, giving his name to the region of Phocis.