BOREAS (Bóptas or Bóptás), the Greek name of the north wind blowing from the Hyperborean mountains. In mythology, Boreas was the son of Astræus and Eos (Aurora), or of the river god Strymon. He dwelt in a cave on Mount Hæmus, whence he issued and carried off Orithyia, the daughter of Erechtheus, king of Attica, by whom he begot Zetes, Calais, and Cleopatra the wife of Phineus, who are therefore called Boreades. During the Persian war the Athenians invoked Boreas, who destroyed the enemy's fleet. In gratitude they dedicated a temple to him; and a festival, called Boreasmus or Boreasmi, was celebrated with banquets in his honour. By the mares of Eriecthonius he begot twelve horses of such fleetness, that in passing over the sea they scarce touched the waves. Boreas was represented with wings, white hair, and the tails of serpents instead of feet.