Οί Διόσκουροι ώς προστάται των ναυτιλλομένων
Part of : Πλάτων : περιοδικό της Εταιρείας Ελλήνων Φιλολόγων ; Vol.ΛΔ-ΛΕ, No.67-70, 1982, pages 23-48
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23-48
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The Dioscuri as protectors of the navy
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Abstract:
According to our mythology the Dioscuri had divine or noble origin. Their mother was Leda and their father was Zeus or Tyndareo. They were brave and heroic youths, who through their heroic achievements and generally with their charitable actions, acquired great fame which quickly passed beyond the Frontiers of their country Sparta, and spread through all the, then, known world. The primitive tribes, with the basic vessels and navigational instruments which they possessed, could not confront the dangers arising out of «The White Sea». As a result of this, the hope of their salvation and generally, the safety of their voyages was placed with many sea deities. Amongst these deities, special place was given to the twin brothers, Kastor and Polydeuces. In almost all the ancient texts and works of art, namely from Homer till the early Christian years, there is a tradition concerning the life-saving attributes of the Dioscuri which exercised great influence over the religious sentiments of the Ancient Greeks. This belief in thè existence of holy protection which was capable of replacing human defects and weakness resulting from the dangers of the «angry sea» survived until some years after Christ. Then one important change took place. The position of the Dioscuri was taken by Saint Nicholas.
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