Alkyonides

The Alkyonides were, in Greek mythology, the seven daughters of Alkyoneus . When their father was slain by Heracles, they threw themselves into the sea, and were transformed into halcyons (kingfishers) by Amphitrite. They were Alkippe , Anthe , Asteria , Drimo , Methone , Pallene and Phthonia .

The Alkyonides are also small rocky islands in the Corinthian Gulf very close to the coast of Attica, Peloponnese and Central Greece, taking their name from the mythological figures.

The term Alkyonides also refers to a metereological phenomenon of the central Greek climate. Nearly every year in the period after Christmas until the middle of January there is a non-interrupted period of days with clear blue skies and warm temperatures, which at least in the Athens region can reach more than 20°C over the day.