Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898)

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Hellespontus

（Ἑλλήσποντος).

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1.

Now the Dardanelles, the long narrow strait which joins the Propontis (Sea of Marmora) with the Aegean Sea. Its length is some fifty miles, and its width varies from six at the upper end to one or less. The narrowest part is between the ancient cities of Sestus and Abydus, where Leander is said to have swum across to visit Hero. (See Leander.) Here, also, Xerxes (q.v.) crossed on his bridge of boats. The name Ἑλλήσποντος (Sea of Hellé) was derived from the myth of Hellé; on which see the article Phrixus.

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2.

Under the Roman Empire, the name Hellespontus was given to a province in the northern part of Mysia, with Cyzicus for its capital.