Ascus(Ἄσκος), a giant, who in
conjunction with Lycurgus chained Dionysus and threw him into a river. Hermes, or, according
to others, Zeus, rescued Dionysus, conquered (ἐδαμασεν)
the giant, flayed him, and made a bag (ἄσκος) of his
skin. From this event the town of Damascus in Syria was believed to have derived its name.
(Etym. M. and Steph. Byz. s. v.
Δαμασκός.)
[[L.S](author.L.S)]