CARPATHUS (Ital. Scarpanto), an island about 30 m. south-west of Rhodes, in that part of the Mediterranean which was called, after it, the Carpathian Sea (Carpathium Mare). It was both in ancient and medieval times closely connected with Rhodes; it was held by noble families under Venetian suzerainty, notably the Cornari from 1306 to 1540, when it finally passed into the possession of the Turks. From its remote position Carpathus has preserved many peculiarities of dress, customs and dialect, the last resembling those of Rhodes and Cyprus.
See L. Ross, Reisen auf den gr. Inseln (Halle, 1840–1845); T. Bent, Journal of Hellenic Studies, vi. (1885), p. 235; R. M. Dawkins, Annual of British School at Athens, ix. and x.