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Histories

§2.27.1

Herodotus on Why No Breeze Blows from the Nile

The author explains his opinion on why no breeze blows from the Nile, stating that it is unlikely for winds to blow from hot regions, as breezes naturally blow from cold places.

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§2.27.1

τῆς αὔρης δὲ πέρι, ὅτι οὐκ ἀποπνέει,1 τήνδε ἔχω γνώμην, ὡς κάρτα ἀπὸ θερμέων χωρέων οὐκ οἰκός ἐστι οὐδὲν ἀποπνέειν,2 αὔρη δὲ ἀπὸ ψυχροῦ τινος φιλέει3 πνέειν.

​Concerning the breeze, as to why it does not blow, I have this opinion: that it is not at all likely that anything should blow from very hot regions, whereas a breeze is accustomed to blow from some cold place.

Syntax notes3 items
  1. 2.27.1τῆς αὔρης δὲ πέρι, ὅτι οὐκ ἀποπνέει

    τῆς αὔρης is a genitive of topic placed at the beginning of the sentence, governed by the postposed preposition πέρι (for περί). The following ὅτι clause ('that it does not blow') stands in apposition to it, defining the specific issue that the author is addressing.

  2. 2.27.1οὐκ οἰκός ἐστι οὐδὲν ἀποπνέειν

    οἰκός is the Ionic form corresponding to the Attic εἰκός (likely, reasonable). The impersonal expression οὐκ οἰκός ἐστι (it is not likely) is followed by the infinitive οὐδὲν ἀποπνέειν (that nothing blows) with a negative subject.

  3. 2.27.1φιλέει

    The Ionic uncontracted form of the verb φιλέω (corresponding to Attic φιλεῖ). When taking an infinitive, it expresses a natural tendency or habit: 'is accustomed to,' 'is wont to,' or 'tends to.'

Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-05-25)urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0016.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:2.27.1