Hellespont, << HEHL ih `spont,` >> is the former name of the strait between the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean Sea. Today, it is called the Dardanelles. The Hellespont was named for the mythical Helle, daughter of Athamas, king of Thessaly. Helle and her brother Phrixus ran away from their stepmother. They were flying across the sea on the ram of the Golden Fleece when Helle fell into the water. According to legend, Leander swam the Hellespont each night to see Hero, with whom he was in love.
