The former name of the Dardanelles, the narrow strait in northwestern Turkey, linking the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara. This narrow sea channel divides Europe from Asia Minor at the northeast corner of the Mediterranean. The strait holds a significant place in history. Both Troy and Byzantium owed their importance to their location there at the entrance to the Black Sea. The Hellespont is the scene of the Greek legend of the two lovers Hero and Leander. The ancient city of Troy defended the Dardanelles from its strategic position at the southwest end (Asian side). In 480 BC, the Persian army of Xerxes I crossed the strait by a bridge of boats; and Alexander the Great did the same in 334 BC on his expedition against Persia.