Asteris

Asteris (Ἀστερίς, Hom., Ἀστεριά), an island between Ithaca and Cephallenia, where the suitors laid in wait for Telemachus on his return from Peloponnesus (Hom. Od. 4.846). This island gave rise to considerable dispute among the ancient commentators. Demetrius of Scepsis maintained that it was no longer in existence; but this was denied by Apollodorus, who stated that it contained a town called Alalcomenae. (Strab. i. p.59, x. pp. 456, 457). Some modern writers identify Asteris with a rocky islet, now called Dyscallio; but as this island lies at the northern extremity of the strait between Ithaca and Cephallenia, it would not have answered the purpose of the suitors as a place of ambush for a vessel coming from the south. (Mure, Tour in Greece, vol. i. p. 62; Kruse, Kellas, vol. ii. pt. ii. p. 454.)