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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Okidoki, post: 2037395, member: 70512&quot;]<a href="http://www.theoi.com/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.theoi.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.theoi.com/</a> :</p><p><br /></p><p>THE DIOSKOUROI (or Dioscuri) were twin star-crowned <a href="http://www.theoi.com/greek-mythology/olympian-gods.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.theoi.com/greek-mythology/olympian-gods.html" rel="nofollow">gods</a> whose appearance (in the form of St Elmo&#039;s fire) on the rigging of a ships was believed to portent escape from a storm. They were also gods of horsemanship and protectors of guests and travellers.</p><p><br /></p><p>The twins were born as mortal princes, sons of the Spartan queen Leda, one being fathered by Zeus the other by her husband Tyndareus. Because of their generosity and kindness to man they were <a href="http://www.theoi.com/greek-mythology/deified-mortals.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.theoi.com/greek-mythology/deified-mortals.html" rel="nofollow">apotheosed</a> into gods at death. At first Polydeukes alone, being a son of Zeus, was offered this gift, but he agreed only on condition that his half-twin Kastor share the honour. Zeus assented, but the pair had to spend alternate days in Haides to appease the Fates and the Gods of the Dead.</p><p><br /></p><p>OTHER DIOSKOUROI PAGES</p><p><a href="http://www.theoi.com/Cult/DioskouroiCult.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.theoi.com/Cult/DioskouroiCult.html" rel="nofollow">Dioskouroi Cult</a> (including statues)</p><p>The Dioskouroi also received a place amongst the stars as the <a href="http://www.theoi.com/Cat_Astraioi.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.theoi.com/Cat_Astraioi.html" rel="nofollow">Cosntellation</a> Gemini (the Twins). Their alternations between heaven and Haides may refer to the heavenly cycles - their constellation being visible in the heavens for only six months of the year.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Dioskouroi were depicted as beardless youths, horsemen wearing wide-brimmed traveller&#039;s hats[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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