CALAIS (mythical son of Boreas)
Figure of myth · mythical son of Boreas
- In the sources
- 7 ancient passages
Calais, son of the wind god Boreas and Orithyia, daughter of King Erechtheus, was born on the border of wintry Thrace.1,2,3,4 His twin brother was Zetes, and they were siblings to Cleopatra and Chione.5,4 In his youth, Calais initially lacked feathers while his beard was growing, but wings later sprouted on his sides like those of birds.4 His cheeks became covered in yellow down, and he possessed dark wings on his ankles that shimmered with golden scales.4,3 His dark hair was constantly shaken by the wind as he moved, and his winged form made him a great wonder to behold.3
He sailed alongside Jason and the Minyae in their search for the golden fleece.5,4 During the voyage, the Harpies stole food, prompting Calais and his brother to pursue them with swords.6,2 Driven by an oath to help Phineus, Calais was eager to engage the creatures.6 Zeus granted Calais and his brother tireless strength for this specific pursuit.6
Calais pursued the Harpies through the air, striking upward into the clouds during a storm at sea.2,7 The brothers nearly caught the Harpies but only managed to graze them.6 Iris stopped them before they could kill the Harpies, interrupting their deadly chase.6 It was fated that Calais would die when unable to catch a fugitive, a destiny intertwined with the Harpies' own fate to perish at his and his brother's hands.2
Accounts differ regarding the manner of his death; he died while pursuing the Harpies, or was killed by Heracles in Tenos.5
The codex facts behind this entry
Calais is identified as one of the two winged sons of the wind god Boreas and Orithyia. Apollodorus 1.9.16 +3
