Peuce

Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography

PEUCE(Πεύκη, Ptol. 3.10.2; Strab. 7. p. 305), an island of Moesia Inferior, formed by the two southernmost mouths of the Danube. It derived its name from the abundance of pine-trees which grew upon it. (Eratosth. in Schol. Apollon. 4.310.) It was of a triangular shape (Apollon. l. c.), and as large as Rhodes. By Martial (Mart. 7.84. 3) it is called a Getic island; by Valerius Flaccus (8.217) a Sarmatian one. It has been identified with the modern island of Piczinaor St. George, between Badabagand Ismail;but we must recollect that these parts were but little known to the ancients, and that in the lapse of time the mouths of the Danube have undergone great alterations. (Plin. Nat. 4.12. s. 24; Mela, 2.7; Avien. Descr. Orb. 440; Dion. Perieg. 401; Claud. IV Cons. Honor. 630, &c.)
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