Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible Online

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Dioskouroi Διόσκουροι
(804 words)

I. Name

The Dioskouroi, twin heroes and brothers of Helen, occur as the mascot or ensign of the ship in which Paul and his fellow-travellers reach Syracuse after their shipwreck on Malta (Acts 28.11). They presumably also lend their name to the month Dioskoros at 2 Macc. 11.21.

II. Identity

‘Dios-kouroi’ (‘youths of Zeus’) in mythology is the title of the Tyndarids (sons of Tyndareus) at Sparta, namely Kastor and Polydeukes (in Latin, via Etruscan, Castor and Pollux). The Greeks inh…

Cite this page
K. Dowden, “Dioskouroi Διόσκουροι”, in: Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible Online, Edited by: Karel van der Toorn, Bob Becking, Pieter W. van der Horst. Consulted online on 24 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2589-7802_DDDO_DDDO_Dioskouroi>



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