Among Zeus' many loves was Leda, wife of King Tyndareos of Sparta. In the form of a swan, he impregnated her. Leda gave birth to two eggs and a total of four children. From the first egg, descended from Zeus, hatch Helen and Polydeukes (Pollux); from Tyndareos, with whom Leda had intercourse the same night, come Clytemnestra and Castor from the second egg.
The approach of Zeus to Leda is shown in this gem. (AVS)
Former collection August Kestner, Rome
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