ABYDOS, anciently a town built by the Milesians in Asia, on the Hellepont, where it is scarce a mile over, opposite to Sestos on the European side, (Dionysius Periegetes.) Now both called the Dardanelles. Abydos lay midway between Lampascus and Ilium, famous for Xerxes's bridge, (Herodotus, Virgil); and for the loves of Leander and Hero, (Musaus, Ovid); celebrated also for its oysters, (Ennius, Virgil.) The inhabitants were a soft, effeminate people, given much to distraction; hence the proverb, Ne temere Abydum, when we would caution against danger, (Stephanus.)