AESE´PUS(ἡ Αἴσηπος), a river of Northern Mysia, mentioned by Homer (Hom. Il. 2.825, &c.) as flowing past Zeleia, at the foot of Ida; and in another passage ( Il. 12.21) as one of the streams that flow from Ida. According to Strabo's interpretation of Homer, the Aesepus was the eastern boundary of Mysia. The Aesepus is the largest river of Mysia. According to Strabo, it rises in Mount Cotylus, one of the summits of Ida (p. 602), and the distance between its source and its outlet is near 500 stadia. It is joined on the left bank by the Caresus, another stream which flows from Cotylus; and then taking a NE. and N. course, it enters the Propontis, between the mouth of the Granicus and the city of Cyzicus. The modern name appears not to be clearly ascertained. Leake calls it Boklu.
[G.L]