Castor and Pollux
“Sons of Zeus”
Summary
Twin heroes of Greek and Roman mythology regarded as protectors of sailors, whose images adorned the ship that carried Paul from Malta to Rome.
☩Mythological Background
Castor and Pollux, called the Dioscuri (meaning 'sons of Zeus'), were twin heroes of Greek and Roman mythology, the sons of Jupiter and Leda. They were regarded as the tutelary divinities of sailors and protectors of navigation. They appeared in heaven as the constellation Gemini, and sailors associated them with the phosphoric lights (now called St. Elmo's fire) that play about ships' masts.
☩The Ship's Figurehead
After wintering at Malta following his shipwreck, Paul departed for Rome on an Alexandrian ship whose sign was 'the Twin Brothers.' This refers to painted or sculptured figures of Castor and Pollux at the bow of the ship, a common practice in ancient ship-building. The ship was likely from Alexandria, where these divinities were specially honored. Roman poets frequently alluded to these gods in connection with navigation.
Related Verses1 mention
Acts· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "CasTor And PolLux," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Castor and Pollux," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Castor and Pollux," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).