An island in the northern Aigean (Aegean) Sea.
At one time, Tenedos was called Leukophrys (Leucophrys). There are several different accounts as to how Tenedos was populated but all ancient texts agree that the island was named after Tennes, son of Kyknos (Cycnus).
The practical explanation for the population of Tenedos relates that King Tennes of Kolonai (Colonae) on the Troad gathered colonists and occupied the uninhabited island of Leukophrys. Tennes allotted property to his followers and gained a reputation as a just and capable administrator. The island and its primary city were named Tenedos to honor Tennes. When he died, a sacred precinct was dedicated to Tennes where he was worshiped as a god.
When Diodorus of Sicily wrote his histories (first century BCE), the Tenedians related a similar but essentially different account of Tennes and the founding of Tenedos. King Kyknos, father of Tennes, ruled Kolonai on the western coast of the Troad. Kyknos' queen accused Tennes of making improper advances; her claim was substantiated by a court flutist. Believing the false accusations, Kyknos placed Tennes in a coffin-type box and threw him in the sea. The box washed ashore on the island of Leukophrys. The residents assumed the miraculous arrival of Tennes was directed by one of the gods and allowed him to became ruler of the island, which was then named after him.
Kyknos finally became aware that the accusations against Tennes were false and sailed to Tenedos to ask forgiveness. When Kyknos tied his ship to the shore, Tennes cut the ropes and refused to allow his father to come ashore. A by-word arose from that event to the effect that anyone making a stern refusal was said to using the axe of Tennes.
On one of the frequent raids on the nearby islands, Achilles plundered Tenedos and killed Tennes. To commemorate his death, a sacred precinct was dedicated to Tennes where he was worshiped as a god. It became a law that no flute player could enter Tennes' precinct and likewise no one could utter the name 'Achilles.'
During the Trojan War, the god Poseidon, lord of the sea, used an underwater cave midway between the islands of Tenedos and Imbros to stable his horses while he assisted the Achaians (Achaeans) on the battlefield.
Latitude North, Longitude East
39.8290, 26.0368
| References: Homer, Iliad book 13, line 33 Pausanias, Description of Greece book 10.14 Diodorus of Sicily, Library of History book 5.83 |