Zetes and Calais
Winged sons of Boreas who joined the Argonauts and chased the Harpies away from the blind prophet Phineus.
The Legend of Zetes and Calais
They could fly — the only mortal-born Argonauts with wings. Sons of the North Wind Boreas and the Athenian princess Oreithyia, Zetes and Calais had wings on their backs (or feet, depending on the source). Jason recruited them specifically for the Phineus problem: Harpies were snatching the blind seer's food. The Boreads chased the Harpies across the sky until Iris intervened, promising the creatures would leave Phineus alone. Later, Heracles killed both brothers — either because they convinced the Argonauts to abandon him, or as revenge for a chariot-race dispute. Their tomb was said to shake when Boreas blew.
Parents
Boreas, Oreithyia
Symbols
Fun Fact
Their tomb stones supposedly swayed whenever the north wind blew — a tribute from their father Boreas.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Calais
🗡 heroWind, flight
Winged son of Boreas the North Wind who sailed with the Argonauts and drove off the Harpies
Bellerophon and Pegasus
🗡 herohubris, fall
The hero who tamed Pegasus and slew the Chimera but was destroyed by his own hubris when he tried to fly to Olympus.
Icarus
🗡 heroBoy who flew too close to the sun
Icarus was the son of Daedalus who escaped Crete on wings of wax and feathers but flew too high — the sun melted his wings and he fell into the sea.
Bellerophon
🗡 heroThe hero who tamed Pegasus
The Corinthian hero who tamed the winged horse Pegasus and slew the Chimera, but fell from heaven when he tried to reach Olympus.
Phineus
🗡 heroprophecy, punishment
A blind Thracian king and prophet punished by Zeus for revealing divine secrets, tormented by Harpies until rescued by the Argonauts.
Bellerophon
🗡 heroTamer of Pegasus, slayer of the Chimera
The hero who tamed the winged horse Pegasus and used him to slay the monstrous Chimera. His story is a cautionary tale about hubris.
Phineus
🗡 heroNone recorded
Blind Thracian king tormented by Harpies until rescued by the Argonauts
Jason
🗡 heroLeader of the Argonauts
The hero who assembled the Argonauts and sailed to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece, aided by Medea's sorcery.
Menoeceus
🗡 herosacrifice, prophecy
A young Theban nobleman who sacrificed himself by leaping from the city walls to fulfil Tiresias's prophecy that only royal blood could save Thebes from the Seven.
Phineus the Seer
🗡 heroprophecy
Blind Thracian king and prophet cursed by Zeus to have his food snatched by Harpies until the Argonauts freed him.
Leucippus of Messene
🗡 heroFatherhood, Daughters, Spartan Rivalry
Messenian king whose daughters Hilaeira and Phoebe were carried off by Castor and Polydeuces.
Bellerophon and Chimera
💭 conceptNarrative
The hero's aerial battle against a fire-breathing monster while riding the winged horse Pegasus