Hellespont

P. L. 10. 309. The strait separating Asia and Europe, and joining the ^gean Sea and the Sea of Marmora, now usuallv called the Dardanelles. The event mentioned by Milton is told by Hero dot us: “Meanwhile they were bridging over the Hellespont from Asia to Europe. Now there is in the Chersonese of the Hellespont between the city of Sestos and Madytos, a broad foreland running down into … To this foreland they on the sea right opposite Abydos. whom this work was laid were making their bridges, starting from Abydos, the Phenic i ans constructing the one with ropes of white flax, and the Egyptians the other, which was made with papyrus rope. Now from Abydos to the opposite shore is a But when the strait had been bridged distance of seven furlongs. over, a great storm came on and dashed together all the work and broke it up. Then when Xerxes heard it he was exceedingly enraged, and bade them scourge the Hellespont with three hundred strokes of the lash and let down into the sea a pair of fetters. Nay, I have heard further that he sent branders also with them to brand the Hellespont. However, this may be, he enjoined them, as they were beating, to say Barbarian and presumptuous words as follows: ‘Thou bitter water, thy master lays upon thee this penalty, because thou didst wrong him not having suffered any wrong from him: and Xerxes the king will pa over thee whether thou be willing or no; but with right, as it seems, no man doeth sacrifice to thee, seeing that thou art a Meanwhile other chief con treacherous and briny stream.’ The struct ors proceeded to make the bridges.” (7. 33-6.) bridge is mentioned briefly by many other writers, such as Mela (2. 2), Solinus (12.1), and Pliny (4. 12).. 154