Leon (Souda Bay)
Encyclopedia
Leon also known colloquially as Nisi ("the island") and during Venetian
rule as Rabbit Island, is an islet in Souda Bay
on the northwest coast of Crete
.
On the southeast side of the islet, a small distance away, there is another larger islet called Souda
. In ancient times these two islets were referred to as Leukai (Greek for "white ones") and pronounced "Lefkai". Their name came from the ancient Greek myth about a musical contest between the Siren
s and the Muses. Out of their anguish from losing the competition, writes Stephanus of Byzantium
, the Muses plucked their rivals' feathers from their wings; the Sirens turned white and fell into the sea at Aptera
("featherless") where they formed the islands in the bay that were called Lefkai.
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
rule as Rabbit Island, is an islet in Souda Bay
Souda Bay
Souda Bay is a bay and natural harbour on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. The bay is about 15 km long and only two to four km wide, and a deep natural harbour. It is formed between the Akrotiri peninsula and Cape Drapano, and runs west to east...
on the northwest coast of Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
.
On the southeast side of the islet, a small distance away, there is another larger islet called Souda
Souda (island)
Souda is an islet in Souda Bay on the northwest coast of Crete. In ancient times this islet was one of two islets that were referred to as Leukai . The second islet is known today as Leon.-History:...
. In ancient times these two islets were referred to as Leukai (Greek for "white ones") and pronounced "Lefkai". Their name came from the ancient Greek myth about a musical contest between the Siren
Siren
In Greek mythology, the Sirens were three dangerous mermaid like creatures, portrayed as seductresses who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. Roman poets placed them on an island called Sirenum scopuli...
s and the Muses. Out of their anguish from losing the competition, writes Stephanus of Byzantium
Stephanus of Byzantium
Stephen of Byzantium, also known as Stephanus Byzantinus , was the author of an important geographical dictionary entitled Ethnica...
, the Muses plucked their rivals' feathers from their wings; the Sirens turned white and fell into the sea at Aptera
Aptera
Aptera is an obsolete taxonomic category, which included the Apterygota along with various other wingless arthropods.Aptera may also refer to:* Aptera, Greece, the city in Crete* Aptera Motors, an automobile company producing the Aptera 2e...
("featherless") where they formed the islands in the bay that were called Lefkai.