Delphi, Monuments - Treasury of Sikyon, metope

Dioskouri, Metope of the Sikyonian Treasury

Third metope of the treasury of Sikyon, at Delphi. Representation of the cattle lifting raid in Arcadia, from Dioskuri. Kastor in front, followed by Idas and Polydeukes (Lynkeus, brother of Idas, not showing). The Dioskuri (Kastor and Polydeukes) were sons of Zeus. Kastor had the ability to tame wild horses and Polydeukes was a master in boxing. They were worshiped from the ancients, especially Spartans, as symbols of dexterity in fight and bravery. The same for Idas and Lynkeus, sons of Aphareous of Messenia.
Idas was the strongest of all men, as Homer says, and Lynkeus had the ability to see even inside the earth. They all took part in the Argonautic expedition. They came to quarrel between them, in dividing the loot (according to one account) after the raid. Idas stabbed Kastor and Polydeukes pierced Lynkeus through. Idas was slain by the lightning of Zeus. Polytheukes, unlike his brother Kastor, had been born immortal.