History
Castor and Pollux, in classical
mythology, twin heroes called the Dioscuri;
Castor was the son of Leda and Tyndareus, Pollux
the son of Leda and Zeus. The Dioscuri were
widely regarded as patrons
of mariners and
were responsible
for Saint Elmo's fire . They were especially
honored by the Romans, on whose side they were
said to have appeared miraculously during the
battle of Lake Regillus.
Not only does Paul mention Castor and Pollux
but they are coupled with a "ship" of Alexandria.
His words are not only accurate but prophetic
in a sense since these symbols originate from
wars fought with
ships.
"The Temple of Castor and Pollux"
Seutonis Roman Historian - Tiberias 20 - Lives
of the Twelve Caesars
Temple of Castor & Pollux
The Temple of Castor and Pollux
in the Roman Forum was originally built
in gratitude
for victory at the battle of Lake Regillus
(495
BC). Castor and Pollux were
the Dioscuri, the "twins" of Gemini,
the twin sons of Zeus (Jupiter) and Leda. Their
cult came to Rome from Greece via Magna Graecia
and the Greek culture of Southern Italy.
Photos
of the Temple
Alexandria
Alexandria formally became part of the Roman
Empire in 30 BC It was the greatest of the
Roman provincial capitals, with a population
of about
300,000 free persons and numerous slaves.
Archaeological News from
Alexandria
The Polish-Egyptian Archaeological
and Preservation Mission at Kom el-Dikka
in Alexandria uncovered a vast complex of
well-preserved lecture halls (auditoria)
of late Roman date (5th-6th centuries AD).
The total number of these halls, including
some that were explored earlier, has now reached
thirteen. They were all built along the Theatre
Portico, which is in fact the eastern colonnade
of a large public square in the centre of the
Late Antique city. The auditoria all apparently
feature similar dimensions and the same internal
arrangement: rows of stepped benches running
along the walls on three sides, occasionally
forming a hemicycle at the end. The most conspicuous
feature is a prominent elevated seat, placed
in the middle of the hemicycle - most probably
intended for the lecturer. There is little
doubt that a line of such halls extended all
the way from the Theatre to the northern limits
of the site.
Pictures and additional details from the article
Scriptures
Acts 28:11 We
departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered
in the isle, whose sign was Castor
and Pollux.
Acts 27:6 And there the centurion found a
ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and
he put
us therein.
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