Abydos, ancient town of Phrygia

Abydos, ancient town of Phrygia, Asia Minor, on the Asian side of the Hellespont opposite Sestos, in present-day Turkey. It was originally a Milesian colony. Near there Xerxes built his bridge of boats in 480 b.c., and in 411 the Athenian fleet defeated the Spartans. A free city until it was taken by Philip V of Macedon in 200 b.c., it became a major city of Antiochus III. It was the scene of the story of Hero and Leander.

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