Castor

Also known as: Ambulian Castor · Family: Greek · Role: hero · First appears: Book 1 · Chapter 41

Castor, son of Tyndareus and brother of Pollux, was said to have been born with him on Pephnos and taken by Hermes to Pellana to be brought up. Theseus wished to marry into their family, and Castor and Pollux later went with Timalcus and Cnageus on the expedition against Aphidna; Cnageus was captured and sold into slavery in Crete. Castor and Pollux also took part in Jason’s expedition and, on their safe return from Colchi, were said to have erected a temple to Athene Asia at Las.

In Book 3, they sought lodging at Phormio’s house, saying they had come from Cyrene; the next day, Phormio’s daughter and her attendants had vanished, and statues of the brothers were found in the chamber. Castor and Pollux were not reckoned gods until the fortieth year after the battle between Idas and Lynceus. Later, an apparition of Castor, Pollux, and Helen prevented Aristomenes from entering Sparta by night, while the people of Elis sacrificed monthly at their joint altar.

In Athens, Castor and Pollux “ran off with Helen, and dragged Æthra from Athens.” Castor was also named alongside Arsinoe, sister of the brothers’ wives; on his mother’s side, he was descended from Pleuron.