Selenusiae

SELENUSIAE

SELENU´SIAE (Σεληνουσίαι) or SELENNUTES two lakes formed by the sea, north of the mouth of the Caystrus, and not far from the temple of the Ephesian Artemis. These two lakes, which communicated with each other, were extremely rich in fish, and formed part of the revenue of the temple of Artemis, though they were on several occasions wrested from it. (Strab. 14. p. 642; Plin. Nat. 5.31.) The name of the lakes, derived from Selene, the moon-goddess, or Artemis, probably arose from their connection with the great goddess of Ephesus. (Comp. Chandler's Travels in Asia Minor, vol. 1. p. 162.)

[L.S]