The Boreads, in Greek mythology, were Calais (Κάλαϊς) and Zetes (Ζήτης). They were the sons of Boreas and Oreithyia, daughter of King Erechtheus of Athens. They were winged heroes.

They were Argonauts and played a particularly vital role in the rescue of Phineas 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.Orithyia is the mother of Zetes and Calais, who went on the quest of the golden fleece with Jason.

Next came Zetes and Calais, sons of Boreas, whom once Oreithyia, daughter of Erechtheus, bare to Boreas on the verge of wintry Thrace; thither it was that Thracian Boreas snatched her away from Cecropia as she was whirling in the dance, hard by Hissus' stream. And, carrying her far off, to the spot that men called the rock of Sarpedon, near the river Erginus, he wrapped her in dark clouds and forced her to his will. There they were making their dusky wings quiver upon their ankles on both sides as they rose, a great wonder to behold, wings that gleamed with golden scales: and round their backs from the top of the head and neck, hither and thither, their dark tresses were being shaken by the wind. Apollonius Rhodius. Argonautica I, 211-223.

Greek Mythology

See also : Greek Mythology. Paintings, Drawings

Mythology Images