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