Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, November 21st, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
Attention!
For 10¢ a day you can enjoy StudyLight.org ads
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!

Bible Encyclopedias
Dioscuri

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Search for…
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Dioscorus (3)
Next Entry
Diospolis
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links

(Διόσκουροι . i.e., Jove's boys, "Castor and Pollux," Acts 28:11), the twin sons of Jupiter by Leda (Homer, Hymn, 17; Hygin. Fab. 77; according to Homer, Odyss. 11:297, the sons of Leda and Tyndareus). They were chiefly invoked by the Greek and Roman sailors as tutelary deities of mariners, and also worshipped by propitiatory offerings (Theocritus, Id. 22:17; Catull. lxviii. 65; Lucian, Deor. dial. 26:2). In the heavens they were twin stars, regarded as auspicious (comp. σωτῆρες, Homer, Hymn, 33:6; Elian, Var. Inst. 1:30; "lucidum sidus," Diodor. Sic. 4:43; Ovid, Fasti, 5:720). They were sometimes thought to appear in a delivering flame at the masthead during storms (Plutarch, Placit. Philos. 2:18). Their image formed the "figure-head" of the Alexandrian vessel (giving name to it) in which Paul sailed from Melita to Rome (Acts 18:11). Compare (See SHIP). See Scheffer, De nilit. navali vett. page 372 sq.; Ensched, De tutelis et insignib. nav. (L. B. 1771); Hasmeus, De navib. Alexand. apostolum in Ital. deferentibus (Brem. 1716); Kunz, De vexillo navis Alex. (Jen. 1734). Comp. (See CASTOR (AND POLLUX).)

Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Dioscuri'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​d/dioscuri.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile