ORITHYIA (legendary princess of Athens)
Figure of myth · legendary princess of Athens
- Parents
- Erechtheus, Praxithea
- Siblings
- Creusa
- Consorts
- Boreas
- Children
- Haemus, Zetes, Calais, Cleopatra, Chione, Aurai, Aura, Europus
- Haunts and cult places
- Attica, Thrace
- In the sources
- 14 ancient passages
Orithyia, an Attic woman, was the daughter of Erechtheus and Praxithea.1,2,3 She was the sister of Creusa. The Athenians regarded her husband, Boreas, as their son-in-law.4,5
While dancing by the Ilissus river in Cecropia, Orithyia was carried away by Boreas, the North Wind.2,6,3 Boreas initially tried to win her through prayers, but after these failed, he decided to use violence, wrapping her in dark clouds to force her compliance.7,2,6 Boreas took her to the land of the Ciconians.8
Orithyia gave birth to winged sons named Zetes and Calais, as well as daughters named Cleopatra and Chione, on the verge of wintry Thrace.6,3 During this time in Thrace, she presented a swift steed to the warrior Penthesileia, and her horses were also given to Sire Pilumnus.9,4
Her influence extended beyond her family, as Athenian sailors sacrificed to and invoked her to destroy enemy fleets.10
The codex facts behind this entry
Orithyia was an Attic woman who served as the wife of the north wind Boreas. Herodotus 7.189.1 Oreithyia is identified as the daughter of the Athenian king Erechtheus. Diodorus 4.43
In the myths
Boreas carried Orithyia away from the riverbank in Cecropia while she was dancing, wrapping her in dark clouds to force her compliance. Apollodorus 3.15.1 +6 Oreithyia gave a swift steed to Penthesileia when the warrior visited Thrace. Quintus 1 ¶7 Orithyia gave her horses to Sire Pilumnus. Aeneid 12.81 Boreas initially tried to win Orithyia through prayers rather than force. Ovid Met. 6.677-721 Boreas decided to use violence to secure Orithyia after prayers failed. Ovid Met. 6.677-721
Worship
Athenian sailors sacrificed to and invoked Orithyia to destroy the enemy fleet. Herodotus 7.189.2
