Absyrtides or Apsyrtides or Apsirtides (Ancient Greek: Ἀψυρτίδες; Italian: Arcipelago delle Absirtidi) was a collective name of two islands off the coast of Illyricum – Cres (Cherso in Italian) and Lošinj (Lussino in Italian), which were almost attached.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Cres.svg/220px-Cres.svg.png)
The islands were named after Absyrtus, who according to one tradition, was slain here by his sister Medea and by Jason,[1] while according to another story because his dead body was drawn by the waves to the islands.[2]
Ptolemy mentions only one island, Apsorrus (Ἄψορρος), on which he places two towns Crepsa (Κρέψα) (the modern Cres) and Apsorrus (the modern Osor, now all in Croatia).
References
edit- Steph. Byz. s.v.
- Mel. 2.7.
- Plin. N. H. 3.26.
- Ptol. Geog. 2.16.13.
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Absy'rtides". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.