Another temptress that captured the heart of Zeus was Leda, the daughter of King Thestius of Aetolia. It came to be that Leda was given in marriage to a young man named Tyndareus, who after being forced from the throne of Sparta came to Aetolia to seek refuge.
Though Leda gave birth to many children, there were speculations as to just how many of them were actually fathered by her husband.
For it was common knowledge to everyone but Tyndareus that Leda had been carrying on a love affair with Zeus during the entire course of their marriage. The god would pay frequent visits to her, but not before disguising himself as a beautiful snow white swan.
Before long Leda realized that she was pregnant, and went on to give birth to four children in a most unusual way. She began by initially laying two eggs. From the first egg hatched Castor and Clytemnestra, two mortal children who had been sired by Tyndareus.
From the second egg came Helen and Polyduces, two children who were fathered by Zeus and considered to be half divine. Both Helen and Clytemnestra became famous for their roles in the saga of Trojan War, while Castor and Polydeuces went on to become well respected warriors known as the Discouri. They were later placed among the stars as the constellation Gemini.