In many parts of the world, winter is the season when it snows. Although this is less common in Greece than in northern Europe, it has become more common in recent years - especially in February.
Homer used it as the basis for several metaphors and similes in his epic poems. But what did the Greeks really think about snow? There are several myths about snow, such as its origin and causes. There are also comments of the Greek philosophers on this subject.
Did the Greeks like the snow?
Homer's mentions of snow in his epic poems show how the Greeks generally viewed it. The Odyssey describes the Elysian Fields, which in Greek mythology are equated with the afterlife, reserved for those who have the approval of the gods. It was supposed to be a kind of paradise. Homer describes it as a place "where life is easier for people. There is no snow, no heavy storm, and no rain there."
(Elysian Fields is a conception of life after death that developed over time and was maintained by certain Greek religious and philosophical sects and cults. It was originally separate from the Greek underworld - the realm of Hades. Only mortals associated with the gods and other heroes could cross the River Styx. Later, the concept of who could enter the river was expanded to include the chosen of the gods, the righteous and the heroes. They would remain on the Elysian Fields after death to live a blessed and happy afterlife, indulging in all the pleasures they had in life.)
Accordingly, snow was apparently considered a burden in life and not something to be enjoyed. It was viewed as an annoying evil in everyday life, like storms or rain. Whether Homer's comments reflect the views of most Greeks living at the time, we cannot say.
What is clear, however, is that everyone involved in a campaign thought poorly of snow. Various ancient accounts of troops marching through snowy terrain illustrate the dangers involved. Their troops and animals often got stuck in the snow and died from the cold.
Snow in Greek mythology
«Chione killed with an arrow supported by her two sons » tapestry executed after the cartoons of Toussaint Dubreuil (Paris 1561 - Paris the 22/11/1602) around 1633 by Raphaël de la Planche, adorning the desk of Nicolas Fouquet in the castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte - Maincy.
In Greek mythology, there are several stories that deal with how snow came to be or what role it plays in the world. One simple belief was that it was caused by Zeus. In the Iliad, Homer mentions that Zeus brings the snow to the people with his arrows. So it seems that his arrows were blamed for certain weather phenomena, including snowfall.
Another myth attributes snow to a nymph (a type of minor deity) named Chione. This name derives directly from the ancient Greek word for snow. She was the daughter of Boreus, the god of the north winds. There seem to be few, if any, surviving myths about this snow-bringing nymph, but her name strongly suggests that the Greeks believed so.
However, she was not the only figure in Greek mythology with this name. Another Chione was the wife of Boreus. Given the name and the association with the god of the north wind, the Greeks probably thought she had something to do with snow.
Of course, the Greeks had also associated Boreus himself with snow. As the god of the north winds, he was supposed to bring the cold air from the north - especially from Thrace - to Greece.
The early poet Pindar describes Boreus as "of gloomy and icy breath" It is therefore quite possible that some Greeks held Boreus directly responsible for snow.
A third woman named Chione was the daughter of Callirrhoe, one of the Oceanids - a group of nymphs - and Nile, the god of the Nile in Egypt. It is said that Zeus carried her in the clouds and snow fell from her into the desert.
Scientific and philosophical views
The Greeks did not only write about snow in their mythology. Ancient Greek scientists and philosophers also discussed it from time to time.
One of the philosophers who had an interesting view of snow was Anaxagoras. He lived in the fifth century before Christ. Anaxagoras held that snow, although it appears white to us, is actually dark. He reasoned that snow is just frozen water, and water, according to Anaxagoras, is dark.
The word he used to describe the actual color of the snow, "melaina," is usually translated as "black". In reality, however, it usually means "dark". It was sometimes used to describe the color of wine and/or the dark color of the ocean. Perhaps Anaxagoras had in mind the dark color of the seabed.
Despite his unusual idea of the color of snow, this statement tells us something important. At least since the fifth century B.C., the Greeks have known that snow is formed from water.
Another interesting perspective comes from Seneca the Younger, a Roman philosopher of the first century AD, whose views are interesting because he was a Stoic philosopher.
This is a form of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens in the third century BC. He stated that snow contains more air than water. Modern science has proven this to be absolutely true. In fact, snow is about ninety percent air.
