Boreas is the Greek god of the north wind, known for bringing cold, winter, and storms. In the standard Greek tradition, his family tree is: his parents are the Titan Astraeus and the dawn goddess Eos, and his siblings include the other wind gods Zephyrus (west), Notus (south), and Eurus (east). He is also famous for his marriage to the Athenian princess Oreithyia, with whom he fathered several children, including the winged heroes Calais and Zetes.
Boreas in the Theogony and Homer
The earliest and most authoritative source for Boreas’s parentage is Hesiod’s Theogony (c. 700 BCE). Hesiod writes that Astraeus, a Titan associated with the stars, and Eos, the goddess of dawn, produced the winds: “bright Zephyrus, and Boreas, headlong in his course, and Notus” (lines 378–380). This makes Boreas a second-generation Titan, since Astraeus is the son of the Titan Crius and Eurybia. Homer, in the Iliad and Odyssey, also refers to Boreas as a wind god but does not give a detailed genealogy; he simply treats him as a divine force that mortals pray to and that gods control.
Some later poets, such as Ovid in the Metamorphoses, call Boreas the son of Astraeus and Eos as well, but others, like the fifth-century BCE poet Bacchylides, imply that he might be the son of Gaia (Earth) alone. However, the Hesiodic version is the most widely accepted and is the one that appears in most myth handbooks.
Boreas’s Siblings: The Other Winds
Boreas is the eldest of the four principal wind gods, but he is not the only one. His brothers are:
- Zephyrus – the west wind, gentle and mild, associated with spring and flowers. He is famous for his love of the nymph Chloris, whom he married and made the goddess of flowers (Flora in Roman myth).
- Notus – the south wind, bringer of storms and rain, often depicted as hot and damp. He was feared by sailors for causing destructive gales.
- Eurus – the east wind, associated with autumn and cloudy weather. He appears less frequently in myths than his brothers.
In addition to these four, there are lesser winds like Kaikias (northeast), Apeliotes (southeast), Lips (southwest), and Skiron (northwest), but these are later additions and not part of the core family tree in Hesiod.
Boreas’s Marriage to Oreithyia
Boreas’s most famous relationship is with Oreithyia, an Athenian princess. According to the myth, Boreas fell in love with her, but her father, King Erechtheus of Athens, refused to give her in marriage. Boreas, in his anger, used his power to carry her off while she was playing by the Ilissus river. This abduction is told in several sources, including Plato’s Phaedrus and Ovid’s Metamorphoses.
The marriage was not just a love story; it had historical significance. The Athenians later claimed that Boreas helped them defeat the Persian fleet in 480 BCE, and they built a sanctuary to him in thanks. The myth also explains why the north wind is so strong in Athens.
Children of Boreas and Oreithyia
Boreas and Oreithyia had several children, though the number and names vary by source. The most consistent are:
- Calais and Zetes – the Boreads, winged twins who joined Jason on the Argo. They are famous for driving off the Harpies, the winged monsters that tormented the blind prophet Phineus. In some versions, they are killed by Heracles on the island of Tenos because they persuaded him not to join the Argonauts.
- Cleopatra – not the Egyptian queen, but the wife of Phineus. She is sometimes called the mother of the Harpies’ victims, though the story is confused.
- Chione – a daughter who was the mother of the thief Autolycus by Hermes, and of the musician Philammon by Apollo. She is also associated with snow (her name means “snow”).
- Hyrpax – a son mentioned in some scholia, but he is obscure.
Some sources also mention a daughter named Aura, but this is rare and likely a later invention.
Boreas in Other Traditions
Boreas appears not only in Greek myth but also in Roman and later European traditions. The Romans identified him with Aquilo, the north wind, but they did not develop a detailed family tree for him. In the Renaissance, Boreas was often depicted as an old man with wings, carrying a conch shell, and he appears in art and literature as a symbol of winter.
In the Orphic tradition, which had its own creation myths, Boreas is sometimes identified as the primordial wind that existed before the gods. This version is not part of the standard Greek family tree but shows how the figure was adapted in different religious contexts.
Common Misconceptions
One common error is confusing Boreas with Zephyrus. While both are wind gods, they have distinct roles: Boreas is cold and violent, Zephyrus is gentle and warm. Another misconception is that Boreas is the father of the Harpies. In Hesiod, the Harpies are the daughters of Thaumas and the Oceanid Electra, not of Boreas. The confusion arises because the Harpies are associated with storm winds, but they are not his children.
Another point of confusion is whether Boreas is a god or a Titan. In Hesiod, he is a god, but because his father Astraeus is a Titan, some modern writers call him a Titan. However, in ancient Greek religion, he was worshipped as a god, and the distinction is not always clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Boreas’s parents?
Boreas’s parents are Astraeus, a Titan of the stars, and Eos, the goddess of dawn. This is stated in Hesiod’s Theogony and is the standard version.
Did Boreas have any children?
Yes, he had several with Oreithyia, including the winged twins Calais and Zetes, and a daughter Cleopatra. Some sources also mention Chione and Hyrpax.
Is Boreas the same as Aquilo?
In Roman myth, Aquilo is the equivalent of Boreas, but they are not identical figures. Aquilo is a Roman adaptation, and the Romans did not give him the same detailed mythology.
Why did Boreas abduct Oreithyia?
Because her father refused to give her in marriage. Boreas, being a god, took her by force, which was a common motif in Greek myth for divine-human unions.
What is the difference between Boreas and Zephyrus?
Boreas is the north wind, cold and stormy, while Zephyrus is the west wind, gentle and warm. They are brothers but have opposite personalities and associations.
Did the Athenians worship Boreas?
Yes, they did, especially after he was said to have helped them against the Persians in 480 BCE. They built an altar to him and held a festival in his honor.
Related
- Larissa in Greek Mythology: Roles & Myths
- Aetna in Greek Mythology: Goddess and Mountain
- Three Great Officials: Chinese Myth & Lore
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