DARDANELLES (strait in Thracian Chersonese)
Strait in northwestern Turkey
- Also called
- Hellespont
- Kind of place
- Strait
- Region
- Thracian Chersonese
- Where
- 40.20° N, 26.40° E
The Hellespont separates the continents of Asia and Europe. Herodotus 7.33.1 The sea received its name after Helle drowned in its waters. Apollodorus 1.9.1 The Hellespont was described as dark-gleaming with eddies. Argonautica 1 ¶104
Described in the sources
The Hellespont is a strait seven stadia wide separating Europe and Asia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.18 ¶6 +4 The Hellespont is located at the mouth of the Propontis, serving as its outlet and connecting it to the Aegaean Sea. Herodotus 4.85.4 +4 The Dardanelles is a body of water situated between Europe and Asia. Aeschylus, Persians 715-738 +2 The Hellespont extends to the Cyanean rocks near Byzantium, a region identified as belonging to the strait, where the Ionians sailed to subjugate nearby cities. Herodotus 5.103.2 +2 The Dardanelles is four hundred stades long. Herodotus 4.85.4 +1 The Dardanelles is no wider than seven stades. Herodotus 4.85.4 +1 The Hellespont is located 18,000 stadia north of the parallel of Meroe. Strabo 2.1.3 +1 The Greek fleet sailed toward the Hellespont to destroy the bridges there. Herodotus 8.110.3 +1 The Hellespont is located near the city where the Greeks and Trojans fought. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 16.88 ¶1 +1 A broad headland on the Chersonese extends into the sea opposite the city of Abydos. Herodotus 7.33.1 +1
Stories and history
Homer describes the Hellespont as being abundant in fish and broad rather than brackish. Athenaeus 1.16 +2 Xerxes built a causeway across the Hellespont for his army. Aeschylus, Persians 739-758 +1 The Gauls ravaged Asia after crossing the Hellespont. Pausanias 10.15.3 The sea is reported to have split the Hellespont apart. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.92 ¶1 Darius crossed the Hellespont before arriving at Sardis. Herodotus 5.11.1 Xerxes united the shores of the Hellespont with a bridge. Strabo 13.1.22 It is reported that Xerxes sent branders to brand the strait. Herodotus 7.35.1 Xerxes arrived at the Hellespont crossing in forty-five days. Herodotus 8.115.1 The army's passage was described as placing a yoke upon the sea. Aeschylus, Persians 65-72 Xerxes thought he could master the Hellespont and even Poseidon. Aeschylus, Persians 739-758
Myths set at Dardanelles
- The Death of Antilochus. Antilochus, the young son of Nestor, dies in battle protecting his father, sparking grief among the Greek forces. His body is mourned, buried near the Hellespont, and his bones are later placed in a golden vase. Apollodorus, Epitome 5.3 +5 Antilochus