Boreas

In Greek mythology, Boreas was the god of the north wind and the son of Astraeus and Eos, deities of the stars and dawn. His brothers were Eurus the east wind, Notus the south wind, and Zephyrus the west wind. Because he was the strongest, Boreas was considered king of all the winds.

Boreas fell in love with Orithyia, daughter of an Athenian king, and carried her off to his home in Thrace. Their children, Zetes and Calais, became winged warriors who journeyed with Jason's Argonaut expedition. The Athenians regarded Boreas as a friendly relative and called for his aid during the Persian Wars.

Virgil* mentions Boreas in the Aeneid, as does Shakespeare in his play Troilus and Cressida. Boreas is often found in Renaissance art that includes references to the four seasons. Personifying winter, he is seen as an old man with long white hair, a beard, and wings.

See also Aeneid, the ; Argonauts .