DAPHNE (anc. geog.), a small village near to, or in the suburbs of, Antiochia of Seleucis in Syria; with a large grove, well watered with springs: In the middle of the grove stood the temple of Apollo and Diana. Its extent was 80 stadia or 10 miles; the distance from the city five miles: A place pleasant and agreeable, from the plenty of water and the temperature of the air, and its soft breathing breezes. The grove was of bay-trees, intermixed with cypresses; which last multiplied so fast, as to occupy the whole of it. Pompey gave some land for enlarging the grove. Antiochus Epiphanes built a very large temple of Daphne Apollo. The place at length became so infamous, that people of modesty and character avoided resorting thither: so that Daphneci mores became proverbial.