Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography/Absy'rtides

by William Smith (1813-1893)

ABSY'RTIDES or APSY'RTIDES (Άψυρτίδες: Eth. Άψυρτευς, Άψυρτυς: Cherso and Osero), the name of two islands off the coast of Illyricum, so called because, according to one tradition, Absyrtus was slain here by his sister Medea and by Jason. Ptolemy mentions only one island Apsorrus (Άψορρος), on which he places two towns Crepsa (Κρεψα) and Apsorrus. (Strab. p. 315; Steph. Byz. s. v.; Mel. ii. 7; Plin. iii. 26; Ptol. ii. 16. § 13.)