Euroclydon Explained

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 eurokludōn [εὐροκλύδων], from Euros (Eurus, meaning east wind) and either the Ancient Greek word akulōn (akylōn, meaning north wind), or kludon (meaning 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

Sources

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

Notes and 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. Web site: Midnight Mass for the Dying Year by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - Poems | Academy of American Poets .
3. Book: Sayers, Dorothy L . 1934. 1948 . The Nine Tailors . London . Victor Gollancz . 226.