Euroclydon

For the stone frigate called HMS Euroclydon, see Fort Verdala.

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. From the Ancient Greek word: εὐροκλύδων, romanized: eurokludōn, from Euros (Eurus, meaning 'east wind') and either the Ancient Greek word: akulōn akylōn, meaning 'north wind'), or kludon (referring to a surging wave from the verb kluzo meaning to billow) or the Latin word: aquilō (aquilon). Euroclydon is not to be confused with the term "nor'easter", which is a separate storm system that forms in the northeastern portion of the United States.

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.[1]
• 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".[2]
• Referenced in Dorothy L. Sayers' novel The Nine Tailors [3] where after a rainstorm, the Rector uses the phrase from Acts 27:14

References

1. "But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon."Acts 27:14 (King James Version) However, later versions, such as the Revised Version, render the Greek word as Euraquilo.
2. "Midnight Mass for the Dying Year by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - Poems | Academy of American Poets".
3. Sayers, Dorothy L (1934). The Nine Tailors (1948 ed.). London: Victor Gollancz. p. 226.

Sources

• Acts 27:14 http://bible.cc/acts/27-14.htm
• Wiktionary article on Euroclydon
• Moby Dick Chapter 2