Boreas ("north wind" or "devouring") was the Greek god with that name. He was the son of Eos and Aeolus, brother of Eurus, Notus and Zephyrus. Boreas was usually depicted as a racy old man, winged and very strong.
Boreas had two sons, two daughters and twelve mares which are said to be able to run across a field of grain without trampling the plants.
When Athens was threatened by Xerxes, the people prayed to Boreas, who caused winds to sink 400 Persian ships.
He kidnapped Oreithyia, an Athenian princess, from the river llissus and with her fathered the Boreads and Chione.
His Roman mythological equivalent was Aquilo.
Boreas was the father of Butes.