Ze'phyrus
(
*Ze/furos), the personification of the west wind, is described by Hesiod (
Theog. 579) as a son of Astraeus and Eos. Zephyrus and Boreas are frequently mentioned together by Homer, and both dwelt together in a palace in Thrace. (
Il. 9.5,
Od. 5.295.)
By the Harpy Podarge, Zephyrus became the father of the horses Xanthus and Balius, which belonged to Achilles (
Hom. Il. 16.150, &c.); but he was married to Chloris, whom he had carried off by force, and by whom he had a son Carpus. (
Ov. Fast. 5.197; Serv.
ad Virg. Eclog. 5.48.) On the sacred road from Athens to Eleusis, there was an altar of Zephyrus. (
Paus. 1.37.1.)
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