Danubius International Conferences, 5th International Conference The Danube - Axis of European Identity
The Legends of the Serpent Island in the Danube Delta
Last modified: 2015-05-11
Abstract
The report presents a variety of ancient legends, connected with the cult of Achilles on the Serpent (Snake) Island, located in 35 km far from the Danube Delta in the territorial waters of Ukraine. The source of ancient legends is the essay of Flavius Arrian “Periplus Ponti Euxini (maritime guide)”, Flavius Philostratus dialogue “On Heroes” (Heroikos), as well as the outlines of Arctinus of Miletus, Aristotle, Maximus of Tyre and others. The imageries of Achilles Pontarchis cult on the Serpent Island (in ancient times – Levka Island, White Island, Island of the Blessed, Fidonisi, Ilan-Ada, Sherpilor) disclose the peculiarities of his worship in Scythia. The paper also deals with the modern archaeological finds on the Serpent Island, its infrastructure and development prospects. The author presents short video with the latest findings: the hundreds of ancient amphorae in the waters of the Serpent Island, made by the Public Organization “Diving Club Navareks” (Odessa, Ukraine).
