LESBOS, LESBUS, or Lesbia, (anc. geogr.), an island on the coast of Troas and Mytia, in the Hither Asia, inhabited by Æolians, (Seylax); taking its name from Lesbos, grandson of Æolus, according to Diodorus Siculus. In length from north to south 560 stadia; in compass, 1500. A noble and pleasant island, says Tacitus; famous for the fertility of its soil, the generosity of its wines, and the beauty of its women: the native place of Sappho the poetess. Anciently called Lafia, Pelasgia, Ægira, Æthiope, and Macaria, (Pliny); Lesbius, and Lesbous, the epithets, (Horace); Lesbia regula (Aristotle), a proverbial saying for bringing down the rule to our actions, instead of our actions up to the rule. The island is now called Lesbos, or Metelin. See METELIN.