Being with
came to Melampus to request bis aid ; but he now child by Aeolus, she fled to mount Pelion ; but
demanded two-thirds of the kingdom, one for him- Cheiron made search after her; and in order that
self, and the other for his brother.
came to Melampus to request bis aid ; but he now child by Aeolus, she fled to mount Pelion ; but
demanded two-thirds of the kingdom, one for him- Cheiron made search after her; and in order that
self, and the other for his brother.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - b
).
At
the great restorers of this author were Vossius, 4to. Aegosthena, in the north-western part of Megaris,
Hag. Com. 1658 ; Jac. Gronovius, 8vo. Lug. Bat. he had a sanctuary and a statue, and an annual
1685, 1696 ; and Abr. Gronovius, Lug. Bat. 8vo. festival was there celebrated in his honour. (Paus.
1722, and especially 1728. This last edition gives i. 44. $ 8. )
a completely new recension, and remained the With regard to his having introduced the wor-
standard until superseded by that of Tzschuckius, ship of Dionysus into Greece, Herodotus (ii. 49)
7 parts, 8vo. Lips. 1807, which is executed with thinks that Melampus became acquainted with the
the greatest care, presents us with the labours of worship of the Egyptian Dionysus, through Cadmus
former critics in their best form, is enriched by the and the Phoenicians, and his connection with the
collation of several new MSS. , contains an ample Dionysiac religion is often alluded to in the ancient
collection of the most valuable commentaries, and writers. Thus, we are told, for example, that he
supplies everything which either the scholar or the taught the Greeks how to mix wine with water
student can require. We have an old translation (Athen. ii. p. 45 ; Eustath. ad Hom. p. 1816).
into English: “The rare and singular Work of Diodorus (i97) further adds that Melampus
Pomponius Mela, that excellent and worthy Cos- brought with him from Egypt the myths about
mographer, of the Situation of the World, most Cronos and the fight of the Titans. As regards
orderly prepared, and divided every parte by its his prophetic power, his residence at Phylace, and
selfe : with the Longitude and Latitude of everie his ultimate rule over a portion of Argos, the fol-
Kingdome, Regent, Province, Rivers, &cc. Where lowing traditions were current in antiquity. When
unto is added, that learned Worke of Julius Solinus Melampus lived with Neleus, he dwelt outside
Polyhistor, with a necessarie Table for this Booke; the town of Pylos, and before his house there
right pleasant and profitable for Gentlemen, Mer- stood an oak tree containing a serpent's nest. The
chaunts, Mariners, and Travellers. Translated old serpents were killed by his servants, and burnt
into Englyshe by Arthur Golding, Gent. " 4to. by Melampus himself, who reared the young ones.
Lond. The Mela was first published in 1585, One day, when they had grown up, and Melampus
the Solinus in 1587, and then both were bound was asleep, they approached from both sides and
up in one volume, and reissued with the above cleaned his ears with their tongues. Being thus
title in 1590. There is a translation into French roused from his sleep, started up, and to his
by C. P. Fradin, 3 vols. 8vo. Paris, 1804, and surprise perceived that he now understood the lan-
with a new title-page 1827 ; into Italian by Por- guage of birds, and that with their assistance he
cảcchi, 8vo. Venet. 1547; and into German by could foretell the future. In addition to this he
J. C. Dietz, 8vo. Giessen, 1774, which is said to acquired the power of prophesying, from the victims
be very bad. (Bähr, Gesch. der Röm. Litterat. that were offered to the gods, and, after having had
Ø 362, 3d ed. )
[W. R. ) an interview with Apollo on the banks of the
MELAENEUS (Melaiveus), a son of Lycaon, Alpheius, he became a most renowned soothsayer
who is said to have built the Arcadian town of (Apollod. i. 9. $ 11; Eustath. ad Hom. p. 1685).
Melaeneae. (Paus. viii. 26. & 5; Steph. Byz. s. v. During his stay with Neleus it happened that his
Menaiveai. )
[L. S. ] brother Bins was one of the suitors for the hand of
MELAENIS (Meravis), i. e. the dark, a sur- Pero, the daughter of Neleus, and Neleus promised
name of Aphrodite, under which she was worshipped his daughter to the man who should bring to him
at Corintb. (Paus. ii. 2. $ 4; comp. viii. 6. $ 2, ix. as a gift for the maiden, the oxen of Iphiclus, which
17. & 4 ; Athen. xiii. p. 588. )
[L. S. ) were guarded by a dog whom neither man nor
MELAMPODES (Merautóns). 1. A Greek animal could approach. Melampus undertook the
grammarian, the author of a treatise which is still task of procuring the oxen for his brother, although
extant, though unpublished, addressed to Diony- he knew that the thief would be caught and kept
sius the Thracian. " (Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. vi. in imprisonment for one whole year, after which he
p. 315. )
was to come into possession of the oxen. Things
2. A writer on astrology, the author of an ex- turned out as he had said ; Melampus was thrown
tant, though unpublished treatise, entitled Methodus into prison, and in his captivity he learned from
Praedictionum Lunarium. (Fabric. Bibl. Graec. the wood-worms that the building in which he was
vol. iv. p. 160. )
[C. P. M. ] would soon break down. He accordingly demanded
MELAMPUS (Mendutous), a son of Amythaon to be let out, and as Phylacus and Iphiclus became
by Eidomene, or according to others, by Aglaia orthus acquainted with his prophetic powers, they
Rhodope (Apollod. i. 9. § 1 ; Diod. iv. 68 ; Schol asked him in what manner Iphiclus, who had no
ad Theocrit. iii. 43), and a brother of Bias. He children, was to become father. Melampus, on the
was looked upon by the ancients as the first mortal suggestion of a vulture, advised Iphiclus to take
that had been endowed with prophetic powers, as the rust from the knife with which Phylacus had
the person that first practised the medical art, and once cut his son, and drink it in water during ten
established the worship of Dionysus in Greece days. This was done, and Iphiclus became the
(Apollod. ii. 2. $ 2). He is said to have been father of Podarces. Melampus now received the
married to Ipbianassa (others call her Iphianeira or oxen as a reward for his good services, and drove
Cyrianassa, — Diod, iv. 68; Serv. ad Virg. Eclog. I them to Pylos ; he thus gained Pero for his brother,
a
(
o
1
I
1
t
6
1
1
UD
## p. 1013 (#1029) ##########################################
MELANCOMAS.
1013
MELANIPPIDES.
and henceforth remained in Messenia (Apollod. i. I and NICO'MACHUS (Nikóuaxos), a Rhodian,
9. § 12 ; Paus. iv. 36. § 2 ; Schol. ad Theocrit
. were the two men whom ACHABUS, the rebellious
iii. 43). His dominion over Argos is said to have general of Antiochus the Great, employed to carry
heen acquired in the following manner. In the on his negotiations with Ptolemy IV. (Philopator),
reign of Anaxagoras, king of Argos, the women of as well as all his other transactions with foreign
the kingdom were seized with madness, and powers. It was chiefly through recommendatory
roamed about the country in a frantic state. Me letters from Melancomas and Nicomachus that
lampus cured them of it, on condition that he Bolis, of whose treachery they had no suspicion, was
and his brother Bias should receive an equal share enabled to gain, to a great extent, the confidence
with Anaxagoras in the kingdom of Argos (Paus. of Achaeus, and so to betray him to Antiochus, in
ii. 18. § 4 ; Diod. iv. 68). Others, however, give B. c. 214. (Polyb. viii. 17, 18, 20, 21. ) (E. E. )
the following account. The daughters of Proetus, MEʻLANEUS (Melaveus), a son of Apollo, and
Iphinoe, Lysippe and Iphianassil, were seized with | king of the Dryopes. He was the father of Eurytus
madness, either because they opposed the worship and a famous archer. According to a Messenian
of Dionysus (Diod. l. c. ; Apollod. i. 9. $ 12), or legend Melaneus came to Perieres who assigned
because they boasted of equalling Hera in beauty, to him a town as his habitation which he called
or because they had stolen the gold from the statue Oechalia, after his wife's name. (Paus. iv. 2. & 2;
of the goddess (Serv. ad Virg. Ecl. vi. 48). Me- Anton. Lib. 4. )
lampus promised to cure the women, if the king Two other mythical personages of this name
would give him one-third of his territory and one occur in Ovid (Met
. xii. 306) and in the Odyssey
of his daughters in marriage. Proetus refused the (xxiv. 103).
(L. S. )
proposal : but when the madness continued, and MELANIPPE (Medavlnan). 1. A daughter
also seized the other Argive women, messengers of Cheiron, is also called Euippe.
Being with
came to Melampus to request bis aid ; but he now child by Aeolus, she fled to mount Pelion ; but
demanded two-thirds of the kingdom, one for him- Cheiron made search after her; and in order that
self, and the other for his brother. The demand her condition might not become known, she prayed
was complied with, and with a band of youths, he to be metamorphosed into a mare. Artemis granted
pursued the women as far as Sicyon, with Bacchic the prayer, and in the form of a horse she was
shouts. Iphinoe died during the pursuit, but the placed among the stars. (Eratosth. Catast. 18 ;
surviving women were cured by purifications in a Aristoph. Thesm. 512; Hygin. Fab. 86. ) Another
well, Anigrus, or in a temple of Artemis near Lusi, account describes her metamorphosis as a punish-
or in the town of Sicyon itself; and Melampus ment for having despised Artemis or divulged the
and Bias married the two daughters of Proetus. counsels of the gods. (Ilygin. Poet. Astr. ii. 18. )
(Apollod. ii. 2. & 2; Strab. viii. p. 346 ; Ov. Met. 2. The wife of Hippotes and the mother of
xv. 322 ; Paus. ii. 7. 8 8, viii. 18, in fin. ; Herod. Aeolus. (Diod. iv. 67. )
ix. 34 ; Schol. ad Pind. Nem. ix. 30. )
3. A daughter of Aeolus, or, according to others,
Another mythical personage of the same name of Hippotes or Desmontes. (Schol. ad Hom. Od.
occurs in Virgil (Aen. x. 320). (L. S. ] x. 2 ; Hygin. Fab. 186. )
MELAMPUS. (Mendutovs), the author of two 4. A queen of the Amazons, whom Heracles, in
little Greek works still extant, one entitled nepi his fight with the Amazons, restored to freedom in
Naluav Martins, Divinatio ex Palpitatione, the consequence of a present she gave him. (Diod. iv.
other lepl EACW TOÙ Lá uatos, De Naevis Oleaceis 16 ; Schol. ad Pind. Nem. iii. 64 ; Apollon. Rhod. ii.
in Corpore. He lived probably in the third cen- 966. ) For two other mythical personages of this
tury B. C. , as the former of these works is addressed name, see BoEntus and MELEAGER. [L. S. ]
to “ king Ptolemy," who is supposed by Fabricius MELANI'PPIDES (Medavitalons), of Melos,
(Biblioth. Gr. vol. i. p. 99, ed. vet. ) to have been one of the most celebrated lyric poets in the de-
Ptolemy Philadelphus. Both the works (as might partment of the dithyramb. Suidas (s. 1. ) distin-
be anticipated from the titles) are full of super- guishes two poets of this name, of whom the elder
stitions and absurdities. They were first published was the son of Criton, and flourished about Ol. 65
in Greek by Camillus Peruscus, in his edition of (B. C. 520), and wrote numerous books of dithy-
Aelian's Varia Historia, &c. , Rom. 1545, 4to. rambs, and epic poems, and epigrams, and elegies,
They were translated into Latin by Nicolaus Pe- and very many other things; he was the grand-
treius, and published together with Meletius, De father, on the mother's side, of the younger Mela-
Natura Hominis, Venet. 1552, 4to. They have nippides, whose father's name was also Criton. No
also been translated into French and German. The other ancient writer recognises this distinction,
last and best edition is that by J. G. F. Franz, in which, therefore, probably arises out of some con-
his “ Scriptores Physiognomiae Veteres," Alten- fusion in the memory of Suidas. At all events, it
burg, 1780, 8vo. (Fabric. Bibl. Gr. vol. i. p. 99, is better to place under one head all that we know
ed. vet. ; Choulant, Handb. d. Bücherkunde yür die of Melanippides.
Aeltere Medicin, p. 415. )
[W. A. G. ] The date of Melanippides can only be fixed
MELAMPUS, an architect, of litile note, who within rather uncertain limits. He may be said,
wrote Praecepta Symmetriarum. (Vitruv. vii. Praef. somewhat indefinitely, to have flourished about the
§ 14. )
[P. S. ) middle of the 5th century B. C.
He was younger
MÉLANAEGIS (Medavalyis), i. e. armed or than Lasus of Hermione (Plut. Mus. p. 1141, c. ),
clad with a black aegis, occurred as a surname of and than Diagoras of Melos (Suid. s. v. Alayópas).
Dionysus a: Eleutherae (Suid. s. v. 'Eneúdepos; He was contemporary with the comic poet Phere-
Paus. i. 38. & 8), and at Athens (Suid. s. v. 'Ana- crates (Plut. l. c. ). He lived for some time at
Toúpia ; Conon, Narrat. 39 ; Paus. ii. 35. § 1; the court of Perdiccas, of Macedonia, and there
comp. MELANTHUS), and of the Erinnys. (Aeschyl
. died (Suid. s. v. ). He must therefore bave died
Sept. 700. )
[L. S. ] before B. c. 412.
MELA'NCOMAS (Meraykóuas), an Ephesian, His high reputation as a poet is intimated by
a
3 T 3
## p. 1014 (#1030) ##########################################
1014
MELANIPPUS.
MELANTHIUS.
t
!
t
2
4
P
PC
ka
(1
&c
Xenophon, who makes Aristodemus gire him the 5. One of the sons of Priam. (Apollod. iii. 12.
first place among dithyrambic poets, by the side of $ 5. )
Hiomer, Sophocles, Polycleitus, and Zeuxis, as the 6. A youth of Patrae, in Achaia, who was in
chief masters in their respective arts (Xenoph. love with Comaetho, a priestess of Artemis Tri-
Mem. i. 4. §. 3), and by Plutarch, who mentions claria. As the parents on both sides would not
him, with Simonides and Euripides, as among the consent to their marriage, Melanippus profaned the
most distinguished masters of music (Non poss. temple of the goddess by his intercourse with
suav. viv. sec. Epic. p. 1095, d. ). He did not, Comaetho. The goddess punished the iwo offenders
however, escape the censures which the old comic with instantaneous death, and visited the whole
poets so often heap upon their lyric contemporaries, country with plague and famine. The oracle of
for their corruption of the severe beauties of the Delphi revealed the cause of these calamities, and
ancient music. Pherecrates places him at the head ordered the inhabitants to sacrifice to Artemis every
of such offenders, and charges him with relaxing year the handsomest youth and the handsomest
and softening the ancient music by increasing the maiden. (Paas.
the great restorers of this author were Vossius, 4to. Aegosthena, in the north-western part of Megaris,
Hag. Com. 1658 ; Jac. Gronovius, 8vo. Lug. Bat. he had a sanctuary and a statue, and an annual
1685, 1696 ; and Abr. Gronovius, Lug. Bat. 8vo. festival was there celebrated in his honour. (Paus.
1722, and especially 1728. This last edition gives i. 44. $ 8. )
a completely new recension, and remained the With regard to his having introduced the wor-
standard until superseded by that of Tzschuckius, ship of Dionysus into Greece, Herodotus (ii. 49)
7 parts, 8vo. Lips. 1807, which is executed with thinks that Melampus became acquainted with the
the greatest care, presents us with the labours of worship of the Egyptian Dionysus, through Cadmus
former critics in their best form, is enriched by the and the Phoenicians, and his connection with the
collation of several new MSS. , contains an ample Dionysiac religion is often alluded to in the ancient
collection of the most valuable commentaries, and writers. Thus, we are told, for example, that he
supplies everything which either the scholar or the taught the Greeks how to mix wine with water
student can require. We have an old translation (Athen. ii. p. 45 ; Eustath. ad Hom. p. 1816).
into English: “The rare and singular Work of Diodorus (i97) further adds that Melampus
Pomponius Mela, that excellent and worthy Cos- brought with him from Egypt the myths about
mographer, of the Situation of the World, most Cronos and the fight of the Titans. As regards
orderly prepared, and divided every parte by its his prophetic power, his residence at Phylace, and
selfe : with the Longitude and Latitude of everie his ultimate rule over a portion of Argos, the fol-
Kingdome, Regent, Province, Rivers, &cc. Where lowing traditions were current in antiquity. When
unto is added, that learned Worke of Julius Solinus Melampus lived with Neleus, he dwelt outside
Polyhistor, with a necessarie Table for this Booke; the town of Pylos, and before his house there
right pleasant and profitable for Gentlemen, Mer- stood an oak tree containing a serpent's nest. The
chaunts, Mariners, and Travellers. Translated old serpents were killed by his servants, and burnt
into Englyshe by Arthur Golding, Gent. " 4to. by Melampus himself, who reared the young ones.
Lond. The Mela was first published in 1585, One day, when they had grown up, and Melampus
the Solinus in 1587, and then both were bound was asleep, they approached from both sides and
up in one volume, and reissued with the above cleaned his ears with their tongues. Being thus
title in 1590. There is a translation into French roused from his sleep, started up, and to his
by C. P. Fradin, 3 vols. 8vo. Paris, 1804, and surprise perceived that he now understood the lan-
with a new title-page 1827 ; into Italian by Por- guage of birds, and that with their assistance he
cảcchi, 8vo. Venet. 1547; and into German by could foretell the future. In addition to this he
J. C. Dietz, 8vo. Giessen, 1774, which is said to acquired the power of prophesying, from the victims
be very bad. (Bähr, Gesch. der Röm. Litterat. that were offered to the gods, and, after having had
Ø 362, 3d ed. )
[W. R. ) an interview with Apollo on the banks of the
MELAENEUS (Melaiveus), a son of Lycaon, Alpheius, he became a most renowned soothsayer
who is said to have built the Arcadian town of (Apollod. i. 9. $ 11; Eustath. ad Hom. p. 1685).
Melaeneae. (Paus. viii. 26. & 5; Steph. Byz. s. v. During his stay with Neleus it happened that his
Menaiveai. )
[L. S. ] brother Bins was one of the suitors for the hand of
MELAENIS (Meravis), i. e. the dark, a sur- Pero, the daughter of Neleus, and Neleus promised
name of Aphrodite, under which she was worshipped his daughter to the man who should bring to him
at Corintb. (Paus. ii. 2. $ 4; comp. viii. 6. $ 2, ix. as a gift for the maiden, the oxen of Iphiclus, which
17. & 4 ; Athen. xiii. p. 588. )
[L. S. ) were guarded by a dog whom neither man nor
MELAMPODES (Merautóns). 1. A Greek animal could approach. Melampus undertook the
grammarian, the author of a treatise which is still task of procuring the oxen for his brother, although
extant, though unpublished, addressed to Diony- he knew that the thief would be caught and kept
sius the Thracian. " (Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. vi. in imprisonment for one whole year, after which he
p. 315. )
was to come into possession of the oxen. Things
2. A writer on astrology, the author of an ex- turned out as he had said ; Melampus was thrown
tant, though unpublished treatise, entitled Methodus into prison, and in his captivity he learned from
Praedictionum Lunarium. (Fabric. Bibl. Graec. the wood-worms that the building in which he was
vol. iv. p. 160. )
[C. P. M. ] would soon break down. He accordingly demanded
MELAMPUS (Mendutous), a son of Amythaon to be let out, and as Phylacus and Iphiclus became
by Eidomene, or according to others, by Aglaia orthus acquainted with his prophetic powers, they
Rhodope (Apollod. i. 9. § 1 ; Diod. iv. 68 ; Schol asked him in what manner Iphiclus, who had no
ad Theocrit. iii. 43), and a brother of Bias. He children, was to become father. Melampus, on the
was looked upon by the ancients as the first mortal suggestion of a vulture, advised Iphiclus to take
that had been endowed with prophetic powers, as the rust from the knife with which Phylacus had
the person that first practised the medical art, and once cut his son, and drink it in water during ten
established the worship of Dionysus in Greece days. This was done, and Iphiclus became the
(Apollod. ii. 2. $ 2). He is said to have been father of Podarces. Melampus now received the
married to Ipbianassa (others call her Iphianeira or oxen as a reward for his good services, and drove
Cyrianassa, — Diod, iv. 68; Serv. ad Virg. Eclog. I them to Pylos ; he thus gained Pero for his brother,
a
(
o
1
I
1
t
6
1
1
UD
## p. 1013 (#1029) ##########################################
MELANCOMAS.
1013
MELANIPPIDES.
and henceforth remained in Messenia (Apollod. i. I and NICO'MACHUS (Nikóuaxos), a Rhodian,
9. § 12 ; Paus. iv. 36. § 2 ; Schol. ad Theocrit
. were the two men whom ACHABUS, the rebellious
iii. 43). His dominion over Argos is said to have general of Antiochus the Great, employed to carry
heen acquired in the following manner. In the on his negotiations with Ptolemy IV. (Philopator),
reign of Anaxagoras, king of Argos, the women of as well as all his other transactions with foreign
the kingdom were seized with madness, and powers. It was chiefly through recommendatory
roamed about the country in a frantic state. Me letters from Melancomas and Nicomachus that
lampus cured them of it, on condition that he Bolis, of whose treachery they had no suspicion, was
and his brother Bias should receive an equal share enabled to gain, to a great extent, the confidence
with Anaxagoras in the kingdom of Argos (Paus. of Achaeus, and so to betray him to Antiochus, in
ii. 18. § 4 ; Diod. iv. 68). Others, however, give B. c. 214. (Polyb. viii. 17, 18, 20, 21. ) (E. E. )
the following account. The daughters of Proetus, MEʻLANEUS (Melaveus), a son of Apollo, and
Iphinoe, Lysippe and Iphianassil, were seized with | king of the Dryopes. He was the father of Eurytus
madness, either because they opposed the worship and a famous archer. According to a Messenian
of Dionysus (Diod. l. c. ; Apollod. i. 9. $ 12), or legend Melaneus came to Perieres who assigned
because they boasted of equalling Hera in beauty, to him a town as his habitation which he called
or because they had stolen the gold from the statue Oechalia, after his wife's name. (Paus. iv. 2. & 2;
of the goddess (Serv. ad Virg. Ecl. vi. 48). Me- Anton. Lib. 4. )
lampus promised to cure the women, if the king Two other mythical personages of this name
would give him one-third of his territory and one occur in Ovid (Met
. xii. 306) and in the Odyssey
of his daughters in marriage. Proetus refused the (xxiv. 103).
(L. S. )
proposal : but when the madness continued, and MELANIPPE (Medavlnan). 1. A daughter
also seized the other Argive women, messengers of Cheiron, is also called Euippe.
Being with
came to Melampus to request bis aid ; but he now child by Aeolus, she fled to mount Pelion ; but
demanded two-thirds of the kingdom, one for him- Cheiron made search after her; and in order that
self, and the other for his brother. The demand her condition might not become known, she prayed
was complied with, and with a band of youths, he to be metamorphosed into a mare. Artemis granted
pursued the women as far as Sicyon, with Bacchic the prayer, and in the form of a horse she was
shouts. Iphinoe died during the pursuit, but the placed among the stars. (Eratosth. Catast. 18 ;
surviving women were cured by purifications in a Aristoph. Thesm. 512; Hygin. Fab. 86. ) Another
well, Anigrus, or in a temple of Artemis near Lusi, account describes her metamorphosis as a punish-
or in the town of Sicyon itself; and Melampus ment for having despised Artemis or divulged the
and Bias married the two daughters of Proetus. counsels of the gods. (Ilygin. Poet. Astr. ii. 18. )
(Apollod. ii. 2. & 2; Strab. viii. p. 346 ; Ov. Met. 2. The wife of Hippotes and the mother of
xv. 322 ; Paus. ii. 7. 8 8, viii. 18, in fin. ; Herod. Aeolus. (Diod. iv. 67. )
ix. 34 ; Schol. ad Pind. Nem. ix. 30. )
3. A daughter of Aeolus, or, according to others,
Another mythical personage of the same name of Hippotes or Desmontes. (Schol. ad Hom. Od.
occurs in Virgil (Aen. x. 320). (L. S. ] x. 2 ; Hygin. Fab. 186. )
MELAMPUS. (Mendutovs), the author of two 4. A queen of the Amazons, whom Heracles, in
little Greek works still extant, one entitled nepi his fight with the Amazons, restored to freedom in
Naluav Martins, Divinatio ex Palpitatione, the consequence of a present she gave him. (Diod. iv.
other lepl EACW TOÙ Lá uatos, De Naevis Oleaceis 16 ; Schol. ad Pind. Nem. iii. 64 ; Apollon. Rhod. ii.
in Corpore. He lived probably in the third cen- 966. ) For two other mythical personages of this
tury B. C. , as the former of these works is addressed name, see BoEntus and MELEAGER. [L. S. ]
to “ king Ptolemy," who is supposed by Fabricius MELANI'PPIDES (Medavitalons), of Melos,
(Biblioth. Gr. vol. i. p. 99, ed. vet. ) to have been one of the most celebrated lyric poets in the de-
Ptolemy Philadelphus. Both the works (as might partment of the dithyramb. Suidas (s. 1. ) distin-
be anticipated from the titles) are full of super- guishes two poets of this name, of whom the elder
stitions and absurdities. They were first published was the son of Criton, and flourished about Ol. 65
in Greek by Camillus Peruscus, in his edition of (B. C. 520), and wrote numerous books of dithy-
Aelian's Varia Historia, &c. , Rom. 1545, 4to. rambs, and epic poems, and epigrams, and elegies,
They were translated into Latin by Nicolaus Pe- and very many other things; he was the grand-
treius, and published together with Meletius, De father, on the mother's side, of the younger Mela-
Natura Hominis, Venet. 1552, 4to. They have nippides, whose father's name was also Criton. No
also been translated into French and German. The other ancient writer recognises this distinction,
last and best edition is that by J. G. F. Franz, in which, therefore, probably arises out of some con-
his “ Scriptores Physiognomiae Veteres," Alten- fusion in the memory of Suidas. At all events, it
burg, 1780, 8vo. (Fabric. Bibl. Gr. vol. i. p. 99, is better to place under one head all that we know
ed. vet. ; Choulant, Handb. d. Bücherkunde yür die of Melanippides.
Aeltere Medicin, p. 415. )
[W. A. G. ] The date of Melanippides can only be fixed
MELAMPUS, an architect, of litile note, who within rather uncertain limits. He may be said,
wrote Praecepta Symmetriarum. (Vitruv. vii. Praef. somewhat indefinitely, to have flourished about the
§ 14. )
[P. S. ) middle of the 5th century B. C.
He was younger
MÉLANAEGIS (Medavalyis), i. e. armed or than Lasus of Hermione (Plut. Mus. p. 1141, c. ),
clad with a black aegis, occurred as a surname of and than Diagoras of Melos (Suid. s. v. Alayópas).
Dionysus a: Eleutherae (Suid. s. v. 'Eneúdepos; He was contemporary with the comic poet Phere-
Paus. i. 38. & 8), and at Athens (Suid. s. v. 'Ana- crates (Plut. l. c. ). He lived for some time at
Toúpia ; Conon, Narrat. 39 ; Paus. ii. 35. § 1; the court of Perdiccas, of Macedonia, and there
comp. MELANTHUS), and of the Erinnys. (Aeschyl
. died (Suid. s. v. ). He must therefore bave died
Sept. 700. )
[L. S. ] before B. c. 412.
MELA'NCOMAS (Meraykóuas), an Ephesian, His high reputation as a poet is intimated by
a
3 T 3
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1014
MELANIPPUS.
MELANTHIUS.
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Xenophon, who makes Aristodemus gire him the 5. One of the sons of Priam. (Apollod. iii. 12.
first place among dithyrambic poets, by the side of $ 5. )
Hiomer, Sophocles, Polycleitus, and Zeuxis, as the 6. A youth of Patrae, in Achaia, who was in
chief masters in their respective arts (Xenoph. love with Comaetho, a priestess of Artemis Tri-
Mem. i. 4. §. 3), and by Plutarch, who mentions claria. As the parents on both sides would not
him, with Simonides and Euripides, as among the consent to their marriage, Melanippus profaned the
most distinguished masters of music (Non poss. temple of the goddess by his intercourse with
suav. viv. sec. Epic. p. 1095, d. ). He did not, Comaetho. The goddess punished the iwo offenders
however, escape the censures which the old comic with instantaneous death, and visited the whole
poets so often heap upon their lyric contemporaries, country with plague and famine. The oracle of
for their corruption of the severe beauties of the Delphi revealed the cause of these calamities, and
ancient music. Pherecrates places him at the head ordered the inhabitants to sacrifice to Artemis every
of such offenders, and charges him with relaxing year the handsomest youth and the handsomest
and softening the ancient music by increasing the maiden. (Paas.