town of Bessarabia in European Russia, seated on the river Dniester, 48 miles from its mouth. It is inclosed by a wall and ditch, and has a citadel, with about 10,000 inhabitants. It was stormed and taken by the Russians in 1770, and again in 1809, and finally ceded to them by the treaty of Bucharest in 1812. In the vicinity is Varnitza, the retreat of Charles XII. after the battle of Pultowa. Long. 29. 36. E. Lat. 46. 50. 32. N.

Bendideia, a festival celebrated by the Athenians in honour of Bendis, a Thracian divinity, whom they identified with their own Artemis. This festival bore much resemblance to those of Dionysus.