DiotimosReading Desk

Heavens and weather

Whirlwind and hurricane

τυφών

tuphōn

Typhōn denotes a violent whirlwind in these physical accounts.

From the book

Stobaeus, Volume I

John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026

Browse this book’s lexicon →

Orientation

At a Glance

  • The wordTyphōn denotes a violent whirlwind in these physical accounts.
  • In StobaeusStrato contrasts it with the fiery prēstēr through the material it draws along.
  • In this edition“Whirlwind” is generally preferable here to a precise modern storm classification.
  • A place to beginThe whirlwind is paired with, but distinguished from, the fiery whirlwind.
English renderings
whirlwind; violent rotating storm

Meaning

Typhōn denotes a violent whirlwind in these physical accounts. “Hurricane” can suggest a modern meteorological category more specific than the Greek warrants.

Use in the book

Strato contrasts it with the fiery prēstēr through the material it draws along. The Aristotelian report explains it as a descending squall forced to turn within a cloud, carrying the cloud downward and violently lifting objects. Rotation and force characterize the explanation.

Places to read

  1. I.29.1.14The whirlwind is paired with, but distinguished from, the fiery whirlwind.
  2. I.29.1.16A rotating descending squall explains the whirlwind’s destructive action.

Translation in this edition

“Whirlwind” is generally preferable here to a precise modern storm classification.

Source note

Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 233–234. The noun in these passages names a weather phenomenon; a mythological identification with Typhon should not be added automatically.