Euroclydon
Cyclonic northeast wind in the Mediterranean
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Euroclydon (or in Latin: Euroaquilo) is a cyclonic tempestuous northeast wind which blows in the Mediterranean, mostly in autumn and winter. It is the modern Gregalia (Gregale) or Levanter. The name "Euroclydon" comes from two classical roots:
- the Ancient Greek word: εὐροκλύδων, romanized: eurokludōn, from Euros (Eurus, meaning 'east wind')
- either:
- an Ancient Greek word: akulōn or akylōn, meaning 'north wind'); or kludon, referring to a surging wave (from the verb kluzo meaning 'to billow')
- or the Latin word: aquilō (aquilon)
Although the Greek word is translated "northeaster" in many English Bibles,[1] Euroclydon is not to be confused with the term "nor'easter", a type of extratropical cyclone affecting Atlantic coastal regions of the United States and Canada.
Notable references
- In chapter 27 in the Book of Acts 27:14 it may specifically refer to the name of the Gregale wind from the Adriatic Gulf, which wrecked the apostle Paul's ship on the coast of Malta on his way to Rome.[2]
- It is referenced in the second chapter of Moby-Dick.
- Euroclydon is also the name of an anthem by William Billings
- Referenced in "The Roman Centurion's Song" by Rudyard Kipling: "Here where our stiff-necked British oaks confront Euroclydon!"
- Referenced in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Midnight Mass for the Dying Year".[3]
- Referenced in Dorothy L. Sayers' novel The Nine Tailors [4] where after a rainstorm, the Rector uses the phrase from Acts 27:14
