Euxīnus Pontus

, a sea between Asia and Europe, partly at the north of Asia Minor, and at the west of Colchis. It was anciently called ἀξεινος , inhospitable , on account of the savage manners of the inhabitants on its coast. Commerce with foreign nations, and the plantation of colonies in their neighbourhood, gradually softened their roughne , and the sea was no longer called Axenus, but Euxenus, hospitable . The Euxine is supposed by Hero dot us to be 1387 miles long and 420 broad. Strabo calls it 1100 miles long and in circumference 3125. It abounds in all varieties of fish, and receives the tribute of above 40 rivers. It is not of great depth, except in the eastern parts, where some have imagined that it has a subterraneous communication with the Caspian. It is now called the Black sea, from the thick dark fogs which cover it. Ovid , Tristia , bk. 3 , poem 13; bk. 4 , poem 4, li. 54 .— Strabo , bk. 1 , . — Mela , bk. 1 , ch. 1 .— Pliny , bk. 3 .— Hero dot us , bk. 4 , ch. 85 .