ALABIS
ALABIS,
ALABUS or ALABON (
Ἀλαβών, Steph. Byz., Diod.;
Ἄλαβος, Ptol.;
ALABIS Sil. Ital. 14.227), a small river on the E. coast of Sicily, flowing into the Sinus Megarensis. Diodorus describes it as a considerable stream issuing from a large basin, of artificial construction, which was regarded as the work of Daedalus, and emptying itself after a short course into the sea. (
Diod. 4.78; Vib. Sequest. p. 4.)
This description exactly accords with that given by Cluverius of a stream called
Lo Cantaro, which issues from a very copious source only half a mile from the coast, and flows into the sea just opposite the modern city of
Augusta. Some traces of buildings were in his time still visible around the basin of its source. (Cluver.
Sicil. p. 133; Fazell. vol. i. p. 158.)
It is probable that the ABOLUS (
Ἄβολοσν) of Plutarch, on the banks of which Timoleon defeated Mamercus, the tyrant of Catana, in a pitched battle, is no other than the Alabus. (
Plut. Tim. 34.)
A town of the same name with the river is mentioned by Stephanus of Byzantium (v.
Ἀλαβών), but is not noticed by any other writer.
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E.H.B]
