διόσκουρια, from Διός, Jupiter, and κύριος, infants), in Antiquity, a festival in honour of the Dioscuri, or Castor and Pollux, who were reputed to be the sons of Jupiter. It was observed by the Cyreneans, but especially by the Spartans, whose country was believed to have been honoured by the birth of these heroes. The solemnity was full of mirth, being a time in which they shared plentifully of the gifts of Bacchus, and diverted themselves with sports, of which wrestling matches always formed a part.