The ancient Greek name for the narrow waterway between Europe and Asia that connects the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara; now called the Dardanelles Strait.
From Greek Helle (a mythological figure) plus pontos (sea). In Greek mythology, Helle drowned in this strait, so it was named after her tragedy.
The Hellespont was the key to controlling ancient empires—whoever controlled this narrow strait controlled trade and military movement between Europe and Asia. Xerxes of Persia famously built a bridge of boats across it with 700,000 soldiers. It's where East meets West literally.
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