ancient images of the Dioscuridokana: these consist of two parallel wooden bars,
linked by crosspieces’’ (On Fraternal Love 1 ¼Moralia478a–b). This configuration
seems to correspond with one found in Laconian reliefs (Figure 15.1; cf. also the
Argenidas relief in the Museum of Verona, no. 555; Tod and Wace 1906:113–18). It
is also found in the modern zodiacal symbol for Gemini (ÉÉ). It is noteworthy that
when, in around 506 BC, according to Herodotus, a law was made at Sparta,
‘‘forbidding both kings to accompany an army on campaign [... this same law
required] one of the Tyndarids similarly to be left behind [in Sparta]’’ (5.75). The
Tyndarids are the Dioscuri, both being regarded as the sons of Tyndareus as opposed
to Zeus, although in myth, as is well known, Castor was the son of Tyndareus and
Pollux the son of Zeus. This text of Herodotus seemingly confirms that each of the
vertical beams represented one of the two brothers, and their tight association with
the kings on campaign may be explained by the fact that the Spartan kings were held
to be descended from a pair of twins, Eurysthenes and Procles (Herodotus 6.52).
Accordingly, an analogy obtained in the Spartan mind between the Dioscuri and the
two kings that were responsible for the city’s military successes.
Figure 15.1 Dokana. Sparta Museum no. 588. Based on Tod and Wace 1906:193 fig.68
(catalog no. 588)
240 Nicolas Richer