EOLUS, in Heathen Mythology, the god of the winds, was said to be the son of Jupiter by Acasta or Sigesia, the daughter of Hippotas; or, according to others, the son of Hippotas by Meneclea, daughter of Hyllus, king of Lipara. He dwelt in the island now called Stromboli, one of the Æolian islands. Others place his residence at Rhegium, in Italy; and others, again, in the island Lipara. He is represented as having authority over the winds, which he held enchain'd in a vast cavern. Strabo, and some other writers, consider him to have had a real existence; and derive the fable of his power over the winds, from his skill in meteorology and the management of slips.
Hic vasto rex Eolus antro,
luctantis ventos tempestatesque sonoras
Imperio premittit, ac vinculis et carcere frenat.
Illi indignantes magno cum murmure montis
Circum claustra fremunt; celsa sedet Eolus areo
Sceptra tenens, mollitque animos, et temperat iras:
Ni faciat, maria se terras cœlumque profundum
Quippe ferant rapidi secum, verrantque per auras.