Roman wind-rose
Wind-roses (or anemoscopes) were used by the Romans to gauge the wind direction. A flag is placed in the middle of the wind-rose and the direction it flaps indicates one of the twelve marked winds. The marble Vatican wind-rose has both Latin and Greek labels for the winds. It was found between the Esquiline Hill and the Colosseum in Rome, dating to the 2nd century AD.
The marble Pesaro wind-rose is 55 cm diameter by 7 cm thick, and is inscribed "Eutropius feci" (Eutropius made me). It was found outside Rome's Porta Capena gate on the Via Appia. To construct his wind-rose map, Eutropius engraved a meridian, divided this equally into six, and from the dividing points drew five lines at right angles to the meridian. These are labeled, in descending order: TOTVS INFRA TERRA(M) (the Antarctic Circle); BRVMALIS (the Tropic of Capricorn); AEQVINOCTIALIS (the equator); SOLI(S)TITIALIS (the Tropic of Cancer); and TOTVS SVPRA TERRA(M) (the Arctic Circle). At each end of the meridian and of each line are small holes intended for bronze pegs. From these twelve holes, lines are drawn to the center, where a large depression served to insert a metal base for the flag of the wind-rose. On the rim, opposite the holes, are the names of the twelve winds. Aparcias (Aparctias, Septentrio) occupies a far larger sector than neighboring Boreas. However, in antiquity the number, names, and directions of winds on a wind-rose varied.
The 12-meter-tall octagonal Tower of the Winds (or Horologion) in the Roman Agora of Athens (150 BC) had a weather-vane on top, with eight carved wind reliefs on each side: Boreas (N), Kaikias (NE), Eurus (E), Apeliotes (SE), Notus (S), Lips (SW), Zephyrus (W), and Skiron (NW). There were also eight sundials, and inside was a water clock (or clepsydra), driven by water coming down from the Acropolis. The Square of the Winds at Dougga has a wind-rose with 24 points celebrating the 12 winds. It was probably built under Commodus, late second century.
Wind-roses could be used by sailors as navigational aids, by farmers to help determine where to plant crops, or by travelers to predict the weather. Cato says olives should be planted due West, while Pliny warns against destructive winds. Pliny the Younger oriented the cryptoporticus of his Laurentine villa so that the west wind (perceived as the healthy and life giving) could sweep through. Pliny the Elder advised that the Africus (SW wind) could cause animals to become pregnant after coupling if they turned to face it. The Venerable Bede states that the Septentrio [N] brings cold and clouds, while the Circius [NNW] brings snow and hail.
The marble Pesaro wind-rose is 55 cm diameter by 7 cm thick, and is inscribed "Eutropius feci" (Eutropius made me). It was found outside Rome's Porta Capena gate on the Via Appia. To construct his wind-rose map, Eutropius engraved a meridian, divided this equally into six, and from the dividing points drew five lines at right angles to the meridian. These are labeled, in descending order: TOTVS INFRA TERRA(M) (the Antarctic Circle); BRVMALIS (the Tropic of Capricorn); AEQVINOCTIALIS (the equator); SOLI(S)TITIALIS (the Tropic of Cancer); and TOTVS SVPRA TERRA(M) (the Arctic Circle). At each end of the meridian and of each line are small holes intended for bronze pegs. From these twelve holes, lines are drawn to the center, where a large depression served to insert a metal base for the flag of the wind-rose. On the rim, opposite the holes, are the names of the twelve winds. Aparcias (Aparctias, Septentrio) occupies a far larger sector than neighboring Boreas. However, in antiquity the number, names, and directions of winds on a wind-rose varied.
The 12-meter-tall octagonal Tower of the Winds (or Horologion) in the Roman Agora of Athens (150 BC) had a weather-vane on top, with eight carved wind reliefs on each side: Boreas (N), Kaikias (NE), Eurus (E), Apeliotes (SE), Notus (S), Lips (SW), Zephyrus (W), and Skiron (NW). There were also eight sundials, and inside was a water clock (or clepsydra), driven by water coming down from the Acropolis. The Square of the Winds at Dougga has a wind-rose with 24 points celebrating the 12 winds. It was probably built under Commodus, late second century.
Wind-roses could be used by sailors as navigational aids, by farmers to help determine where to plant crops, or by travelers to predict the weather. Cato says olives should be planted due West, while Pliny warns against destructive winds. Pliny the Younger oriented the cryptoporticus of his Laurentine villa so that the west wind (perceived as the healthy and life giving) could sweep through. Pliny the Elder advised that the Africus (SW wind) could cause animals to become pregnant after coupling if they turned to face it. The Venerable Bede states that the Septentrio [N] brings cold and clouds, while the Circius [NNW] brings snow and hail.
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Wind Diagrams and Medieval Cosmology
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