Hebrus

• The principal river in Thrace, which rises in Mount Haemus, and flows into the Aegean Sea, now the Maritza, Mel. 2, 2, 2; 8; Verg. E. 10, 65; id. G. 4, 463; and esp. ib. v. 523 sqq.; id. A. 1, 317; Hor. Ep. 1, 3, 3; id. C. 3, 25, 10; Ov. F. 3, 737; id. M. 2, 257; 11, 50 et saep.: sacer, on account of the festivals of Bacchus celebrated on its banks, id. H. 2, 114.—
• II A Trojan, slain by Mezentius, Verg. A. 10, 696.—
• III The name of a beautiful youth, Hor. C. 3, 12, 6.

HEBRUS (Ἕβρος: Maritza), the principal river of Thrace, has its sources near the point where mount Scomius joins mount Rhodope, in the northwestern corner of Thrace. Its course at first has a south-eastern direction; but below Adrianopolis it takes a south-western turn, and continues to flow in that direction until it reaches the Aegaean near Aenos. (Thucyd. 2.96; Plin. Nat. 4.18; Aristot. Meteor. 1.13.) The tributaries of the Hebrus are so numerous and important, that it becomes navigable even at Philippolis, while near its mouth it becomes really a large river. (Hdt. 7.59.) Near its mouth it divides itself into two branches, the eastern one of which forms lake Stentoris. (Hdt. 7.58; Acropolita, p. 64.) The most important among its tributaries are the Suemus, Arda, Artiscus, Tonsus, and Agrianes. About Adrianople the basin of the Hebrus is very extensive; but south of that city it becomes narrower, the mountains on both sides approaching more closely to the river. During the winter the Hebrus is sometimes frozen over. (Comp. Hdt. 4.90; Plb. 34.13; Eurip. Here. Fur. 386; Strab. vii. pp. 322, 329, 13. p. 590; Ptol. 3.11.2; Arrian, Arr. Anab. 1.11; Mela, 2.2; Virg. Eel. 10.65, Georg. 4.463, 524; Val. Flac. 2.515, 4.463, 8.228.)

(Ἕβρος). The modern Maritza; the principal river in Thrace, rising in the mountains of Scomius and Rhodopé, and falling into the Aegaean Sea near Aenos, after forming by another branch an estuary called Stentoris Lacus. The Hebrus was celebrated in Greek legends. On its banks Orpheus was torn to pieces by the Thracian women; and it is frequently mentioned in connection with the worship of Dionysus.

• Hdt. 4.90
• Doriscus on it: Hdt. 7.59