14
HOC MENSE ROMAE DEC - FEB
IN THE SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE
The Story of Castor and Pollux
January 27th marks the Festivals of Castor and Pollux , two Greek demigods who were responsible for the myth behind the Gemini constellation . The twins appear in several Greek writings , such as in The Iliad as the brothers of Helen of Troy and in the Argonautica , assisting Jason and the Argonauts . Eventually , however , their adventures lead to Castor ' s death .
One myth has it that the twins attempted to kidnap and marry two already-wed women , and the women ' s husbands sought revenge . Another myth involves the twins stealing cattle from their cousins . Either way , these events result in Castor ' s death . Although Zeus allows Pollux to split his immortality with his brother , this also means splitting Castor ' s death . Every other day , one twin spends the day in Olympus and the other spends it in the Underworld . Because of their separation , the two brightest stars in the Gemini constellation are named after Castor and Pollux so that they can be together in the night sky .
The Gemini Constellation
DEC
3
Festival
OTHER EVENTS :
of Bona Dea
Bona Dea was considered the women ' s goddess , so her festival was only celebrated by women and Vestal Virgins .
JAN
1
FEB
13-21
Festival of Janus
Janus was a two-faced Roman god who represented beginnings and is the namesake of January . During the festivals , lamps were exchanged to provide light for the new year .
Parentalia
During Parentalia , celebrations were held for dead relatives . On the 21st , milk and honey was poured into tombs to feed the departed .