Journal of Danubian Studies and Research (Aug 2015)
The Legends of the Serpent Island in the Danube Delta
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 sources of ancient legends are 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, Maximus of Tyre and Romanian folklore. 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 and Dacia.
