Pordoselene

PORDOSELE´NE(Πορδοσελήνη: Eth. Πορδοσεληνίτης), the chief of the Hecatonnesi, a group of small islands lying between Lesbos and the coast of Asia. It contained a town of the same name (Scylax, p. 36, Hudson; Strab. 13. p. 618; Steph. B. s. v.). Strabo says (l. c.) that some, in order to avoid the dirty allusion presented by this name, called it Poroselene (Ποροσελήνη), which is the form employed by Ptolemy (Ptol. 5.2.5), Pliny (Plin. Nat. 5.31. s. 38), and Aelian ( N. An. 2.6). At a still later time the name was changed into Proselene, under which form the town appears as a bishop's see. (Hierocl. p. 686; Concil. Chalced. p. 530.) COIN OFPORDOSELENE.

(Πορδοσελήνη). The largest of the islands called Hecatonnesi near Lesbos (Pliny H. N. v. 37).