CNIDUS, in Ancient Geography, a city of Caria, at the extremity of a long peninsula forming the southern boundary of the Caramicus Sinus. It was built partly on the mainland and partly on an island about 7 stadia in circuit, and connected with the mainland by a causeway forming two harbours. It was celebrated for the worship of Venus. A narrow sandy isthmus now unites the island to the mainland. The remains of two moles which inclosed the southern or larger port are still visible. The ruins of this city are still considerable, exhibiting specimens of different kinds of Greek architecture, both Doric and Ionic. The city walls are still very perfect, and there are remains of two theatres, one of which had a diameter of 400 feet.
CNOSSUS or GNOSUS, or (as the name was originally written) CXOSUS or GNOSUS, the most important city of Crete, on the left bank of the Cæratus, a small stream which falls into the sea on the north side of the island. The city was situated at a considerable distance from the coast, and, according to the old traditions, was founded by Minos, the mythical king of Crete. The locality was associated with a number of the most interesting legends of the Grecian mythology, particularly those which related to Jupiter. It was in the vicinity of Cnossus that the most powerful of the gods is said to have been born, to have been married, and to have been buried. Cnossus is always assigned as the locale of the fabled labyrinth in which the Minotaur was confined. As it was originally peopled by Dorians, the manners, customs, and political institutions of its inhabitants were all Dorian in their caste. Along with Gortyna and Cidonia, it held for many years the supremacy over the whole of Crete, and always took a prominent part in the civil wars which from time to time desolated the island. When the Romans began to extend their arms southwards, Cnossus fell under their domination, and became a Roman colony. Ænesidemus, the sceptic philo-
Coa Vestis sophier, and Chersiphron, the architect of the temple of Diana at Ephesus, were natives of Cnossus.