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. 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