APHRODI´SIAS
APHRODI´SIAS (
Ἀφροδισιάς), an island adjacent to the N. coast of Africa, marking the extent westward of the people called Giligammae (
Hdt. 4.169). Ptolemy mentions it as one of the islands off the coast of Cyrenaïca, calling it also Laea (
Λαιὰ ἢ Ἀφροδίτης νῆσος, 4.4.14;
Steph. B. sub voce Scylax (p. 45, Hudson, p. 109, Gronov.) places it between the Chersonesus Magna (the E. headland of Cyrenaïca) and Naustathmus (near its N. point), and mentions it as a station for ships.
The anonymous Periplus gives its position more definitely, between Zephyrium and Chersis; and calls it a port, with a temple of Aphrodite.
It may, perhaps, correspond with the island of
Al Hiera. (Mannert, vol. x. pt. 2. p. 80.)
[
P.S]