Orithyia (also spelt Oreithyia), is a female figure in Greek Mythology, a princess of Athens, she became the wife of Boreas, God of the north wind and winter, after he took her from her home. She is also the mother of The Boreads, Zetes and Calais, Cleopatra (who became the first wife of Phineus, King of Thrace) and Khione, the Nymph Goddess of Snow by Boreas. Orithyia was also later deified as a goddess of cold mountain winds.
Genealogy and Family[]
Orithyia, was born a mortal to King Erechtheus of Athens and his wife, Praxithea, a daughter of Phrasimus and Diogeneia. Orithyia was sister to Cecrops, Pandorus, Metion, Protogeneia, Pandora, Procris, Creusa, and Chthonia. Her other possible siblings were Merope, Orneus, Thespius, Eupalamus and Sicyon.
By her eventual husband, Boreas, she became the mother of two daughters, Cleopatra and Khione, and two sons, Calais and Zetes.
Story[]
Boreas, a member of the Wind Gods, fell in love with Orithyia and pleaded to her favours, but when she rejected him, he lost his temper and abducted the girl from the banks of Ilisos. Orithyia was then wrapped in a cloud and ravished by Boreas, becoming pregnant and later giving birth to the twins, Calais and Zetes. Boreas and Orithyia went on to marry and also had two daughters together, Cleopatra and Khione. The two live on Mount Haimos together.
Appearance and Personality[]
Orithyia was often depicted in art as a beautiful, fair skinned woman with a slim figure, dark blonde curly hair, dressed in white lacy dresses.
Role[]
The goddess of cool mountain winds. She alongside her daughter Khione and the first triad of The Horae: Thallo, Auxo and Carpo were often depicted together and also part of Persephone's entourage, helping her to fulfil the seasons.
Significance[]
Gallery[]
Orithyia has been depicted in many artworks beside Boreas:
Trivia[]
Her Greek name is Ορειθυια, it means 'mountain raging'.
Oreithyia's sisters Pandrosos (All Dewy) and Herse (Dew) were also minor Athenian deities.