Although it’s late March, the west winds in Virginia are still brutal. They come rolling off the Shenandoah and Appalachian mountains, frigid and violent, as if we needed a reminder that Spring isn’t quite here yet, despite the Spring Equinox having already occurred. Even the Roman poet Virgil had issues with these winter northwest winds. In a letter, he once described a steppe winter near the Sea of Asov by writing: Semper hemp, semper spirants rigors cauri. This translates to: Always winter, always the northwest winds breathing cold. This description has been especially true during the past few weeks. Anyway, in honor of March almost being over, I thought I’d share a brief history of The Anemoi, the Greek gods of wind. The four mischievous deities who used to take the blame for unwelcome weather.
Once upon a time, Eos, the radiant goddess of dawn, and the celestial Titan Astraeus, the god of the stars and the planets, gave birth to powerful wind deities. Their four sons, the Greek wind gods known as the Anemoi, are the personifications of the four cardinal winds, each associated with a particular direction and season. The Anemoi became the embodiments of the natural world, influencing everything from seasons to travel and even the destinies of mortals and gods alike. While the Anemoi had individual powers, they often acted together to control the flow of air, weather, and even the courses of epic myths like The Odyssey and Dionysiaca.
The Anemoi: The Wind Gods and Children of Eos
Each wind god had his own personality, and these divine beings were frequently invoked by sailors, farmers, and warriors who sought to gain favor over nature’s unpredictable moods. While they were not always portrayed as kind, they were essential in maintaining the balance of the seasons and the world’s natural order.
Photo attribution: The wedding of Zephyrus and Chloris. Ancient Roman fresco (54-68 d.C.), Pompeii, Italy. Naples National Archaeological Museum, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons. Photo taken by Stefano Bolognini.
In The Odyssey, the Anemoi play a significant role in the journey of Odysseus. In particular, the god Aeolus, the ruler of the winds, is introduced as the keeper of the Anemoi. When Odysseus and his men visit Aeolus’ island, the god gifts them a bag containing all the winds except for the gentle west wind, which is meant to guide them home. However, when Odysseus’ curious men open the bag, they release the winds, causing a violent storm that blows them far off course. This episode in the poem highlights the unpredictable and dangerous nature of the Anemoi, whose power can either aid or hinder depending on the circumstances. Aeolus’ gift and the subsequent mishap serve as a reminder of how the winds, like many forces in Greek mythology, are both a blessing and a potential source of chaos.
In addition to the major four Anemoi, there are four lesser winds in Greek mythology that may be the offspring of the Anemoi (although that is unclear). Kaikias, the north-east wind, is a violent and icy breeze, associated with winter storms. He is a subordinate wind to Boreas, sharing a similar chilly temperament. Skiron, the north-west wind, is connected to the winds of the sea and storms, particularly those that bring rain or the fierce squalls of early spring. Apeliotes, the south-east wind, brings warm, moist air, often associated with the growing season and harvest time, similar to Notus but with a gentler, more temperate nature. Lips, the south-west wind, is often depicted as grabbing a ship’s stern because the south-west wind blew into the harbor of Piraeus, preventing ships from leaving port and sailing away. These lesser winds, while not as prominent as the main four Anemoi, are still part of the larger family of winds, each serving a unique role in the ever-changing weather patterns of the ancient Greek world.
There are at least nine other lesser-lesser winds, but their backgrounds and uses are muddled due to inconsistencies in poorly translated works. Anyway, as the last of the March winds sweep down from the Shenandoah Mountains, I’m reminded of the ancient myths that personified these powerful forces of nature. Whether gentle or fierce, the winds signal the transition from winter to spring. So, as you brace yourself against the gusts this season, take a moment to appreciate the timeless dance of the Anemoi all around us.
