Boreads

For the genus of noctuid moths, see Zethes (moth).

For the social fraternity nicknamed "Zetes", see Zeta Psi

The Boreads rescuing Phineus from the Harpies, column-krater by the Leningrad Painter, c. 460 BC, Louvre

The Boreads (Ancient Greek: Βορεάδαι) are characters in Greek mythology. They consist of Calaïs (Κάλαϊς) and Zetes (also Zethes) (Ζήτης).

Mythology

They were the sons of Boreas and Oreithyia, daughter of King Erechtheus of Athens. Due to being sons of the north wind they were supernaturally gifted in different ways (depending on changes in the story from being passed down through generations and cultures) either being as fast as the wind or able to fly, having wings either on their feet or backs, depending on the myth.*^{[1]:I, 211–223}

They were Argonauts and played a particularly vital role in the rescue of Phineus from the harpies. They succeeded in driving the monsters away but did not kill them, at a request from the goddess of the rainbow, Iris, who promised that Phineas would not be bothered by the harpies again. As thanks, Phineas told the Argonauts how to pass the Symplegades. It is said that the Boreads were turned back by Iris at the Strophades. The islands' name, meaning "Islands of Turning", refers to this event.^{[1]:I, 240–300}

Calais in one tradition is said to be the beloved of Orpheus;^[2][3] Orpheus was said to have been killed at the hands of jealous Thracian women whilst he wandered the countryside thinking of Calais.^[4]

Their death was said to be caused by Heracles on Tenos in revenge for when they convinced the Argonauts to leave him behind as he searched for Hylas.^{[1]:I, 1296–1314}

Other sources imply that the sons of Boreas died chasing the harpies, as it was fated that they would perish if they failed to catch those they pursued. In some versions, the harpies drop into the sea from exhaustion, and so their pursuers fall as well.

Popular culture

The Boreads appear in The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan, where they reside in Montreal with their sister Khione and their father Boreas. After their death, their father Boreas transformed them into immortal demigods to act as his lieutenants. In the novels, Calais (referred to as "Cal") struggles with words that have more than two syllables, including his own name. He has an obsession with ice hockey and pizza. Zetes is by far the more intelligent of the two, though he has his own quirks as well. He is metrosexual and tries to woo the character Piper McLean each time he encounters her.^[5] Both Boreads are teenaged, with purple wings and silvery hair; possess a deep-seated respect for anyone named Jason (because of their role as Argonauts); and carry jagged bronze swords. The two assist their sister Khione in her bid for power, but do not ultimately ally themselves with Gaea (Gaia, the chief antagonist).^[6]

See also

• Corpus vasorum antiquorum
• List of Greek mythological figures

References

1. Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica
2. Katherine Crawford (2010). The Sexual Culture of the French Renaissance. Cambridge University Press. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-521-76989-1.
3. John Block Friedman (2000-05-01). Orpheus in the Middle Ages. Syracuse University Press. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-8156-2825-5.
4. Phanocles, The Death of Orpheus
5. Riordan, Rick (2010). The Lost Hero. New York, New York: Disney-Hyperion. ISBN 978-1-4231-1339-3.
6. Riordan, Rick (2014). The Blood of Olympus. New York, New York: Disney-Hyperion. ISBN 978-1-4231-4673-5.

• Apollodorus, Bibliotheke I, ix, 21; III, xv, 2.