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1011
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7. 9)
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ben. iii p 78. ) i
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pued to certain dries
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of the Ozolian Lichts
/rph. E. ) [LS]
1. ANXIETS
us Senea, the reinca.
and brother of L. 90
docti Senecae et met
A. D. 66. To save a part for his family, Mela be- a short prooemium, in which he dwells upon the
queathed to Tigellinus and his son-in-law, Cossu-importance and the difficulties of the undertaking,
tianus Capito (Capito), a large portion of his and states the manner in which he proposes to
wealth. Codicils, believed however to be spurious, execute his task, he proceeds to define the cardinal
were annexed to Mela's will, accusing Anicius points, and to explain the division of the world
Cerialis (CERIALIS) and Rufius Crispinus (CRIS into two hemispheres and five zoncs. The northern
PINUS] of participation in Piso's plot. The char- hemisphere is that portion of the earth which is
acter and studies of Mela are agreeably sketched known, and is separated by the impassable torrid
by the elder Seneca in the prooemium to his 2d zone from the southern hemisphere, which is
book of Controversiae, which book is also especially altogether unknown, and is the abode of the
addressed to Mela. (Tac. Ann. xvi. 17; Dion Cass. Anticthones. The northem or known hemisphere
Ixii. 25; Sen. Controv. ii. v. prooem. , Cons. ad is completely surrounded by the ocean, which com-
Helv. xvi. )
(W. B. D. ] municates with the four great seas: one on the
MELA, FA'BIUS, a Roman jurist, who is often north, the Caspian ; two on the south, the Persian
cited in the Digest ; but there is no excerpt from and the Arabian ; one on the west, the Mediter-
his writings there. The fact that he is cited by ranean, with its subdivisions of the Hellespont,
Africanus (Dig. 46. tit. 3. s. 39, and 50. tit. 16. & the Propontis, the Thracian Bosporus, the Euxine,
207) shows that he was at least his contemporary. the Cimmerian Bosporus, and the Palus Maeotis.
But it may be collected from another passage (Dig. By this sea and the two great rivers, the Tanais
9. tit. 2. &. 11) that he was prior to Proculus, or and Nile, the whole of the northern hemisphere is
at least his contemporary ; for in that passage Ul- portioned out into three great divisions. All to
pian cites Mela before Proculus. In another pas- the north of the Mediterranean and the west of
sage Ulpian (Dig. 19. tit. 1. s. 17) cites Mela as the Tanais constitute Europe ; all to the south of
the authority for an opinion of Gallus Aquilius the Mediterranean and the west of the Nile con-
who was a friend of Cicero, and praetor B. C. 66 ; stitute Africa ; what remains is Asia. Next
and again (Dig. 19. tit. 9. s. 3) as authority for an follows a brief general description of the three con-
opinion of Servius Sulpicius. He is often cited in tinents, and an enumeration of the chief tribes by
connection with Labeo and Trebatius. As Afri- which they are inhabited. These preliminaries
canus wrote under Hadrian, who died A. D. 138, being discussed, the author enters upon more mi-
and in the reign of Pius, the successor of Hadrian, nute details, and makes a complete circuit of the
we cannot with certainty fix the period of Mela as known world, tracing first the coast of the Medi-
earlier than that of Antoninus Pius ; but from the terranean and the shores of the ocean.
Thus com-
other citations here mentioned it has been inferred mencing at the straits of Hercules with Mauritania,
that he was a contemporary of Labeo and Treba- he passes on in regular order to Numidia, Africa
tius. We are not acquainted with the title of Proper, the Cyrenaica, Egypt, Arabia, Syria
any of Mela's writings, though he wrote at least Phoenicia, Cilicia, Pamphylia, Lycia, Caria, Ionia,
ten books about something. (Dig. 46. tit. 3. 8. Aeolis, Bithynia, Paphlagonia, the Asiatic nations
39. )
[G. L. ] on the Euxine and the Palus Maeotis, European
MELA, POMPO'NIUS, the first Roman au- Scythia, Thrace, Macedonia, Greece, the Pelopon-
thor who composed a formal treatise upon Geo- nesus, Epirus, Illyricum, Italy from the head of
graphy. From one passage in his work (ii
. 6. $74) the Adriatic round by Magna Graecia to the Ligu-
we learn that he was born at a town situated on rian Gulf, Gallia Narbonnensis, and the eastern
the bay of Algesiras, and the name of the place coast of Spain. (Hispaniae ora citerior. ) The
seems to have been Tingentera or Cingentera ; but tour of the Mediterranean being now completed, a
the text is here so corrupt, that it is impossible to chapter is devoted to its islands. Passing beyond
speak with certainty. From a second passage (iü. the Straits, we stretch along the western coast of
6. § 25, comp. Sueton. Claud. 17) it is highly pro- Spain (Hispaniae ora exterior), the western coast
bable that he flourished under the emperor Clau- of Gaul (Galliae ora exterior), the islands of the
dius ; but at all events it is certain that he must Northern Ocean, Germany, Sarmatia, the shores
have written after the campaigns of Augustus in of the Caspian, the Eastern Ocean and India, the
Spain, for he speaks of the ancient Jol as having Mare Rubrum and its two gulfs, the Persian and
been ennobled by the appellation of Caesareia (i. 6. Arabian, Aethiopia, and those portions of Aethiopia
$5), and mentions two towns in the country of and Mauritania bordering upon the Atlantic, which
the Cantabri which had been named after their con brings him round to the point from which he
queror. Beyond these particulars our knowledge started. It will be seen from the above sketch
does not extend. Funccius indeed conjectures that the existence of the northern countries of Eu-
that the designation Pomponius was acquired by rope and of the northern and eastern countries of
adoption, and that he is in reality the L. Annaeus Asia were unknown, it being supposed that these
Mela of Corduba, who was the son of Seneca the regions formed part of the ocean, which, in like
rhetorician-the brother of Seneca the philosopher, manner, was supposed to occupy the whole of
and of Junius Gallio — and the father of the poet Central and Southern Africa.
Lucan; but there appears to be no evidence in As might be expected in a tract which consists
favour of this hypothesis beyond the bare facts chiefly of proper names, the text is often exces-
that both of these personages were Spaniards, and sively and hopelessly currupt, but the style is
that both bore the surname of Mela. (Senec. simple, unaffected, and perspicuous; the Latinity
Controv. lib. ii. praef. ; Tac. Ann. xvi. 17 ; Hieron. is pure; all the best authorities accessible at that
in Chron. Euseb. Olymp. ccxi. ; comp. Plin. H. N. period, especially Eratosthenes, appear to have
xix. 33, who, probably by mistake, wrote Tiberio been carefully consulted ; and although everything
for Nerone. )
is compressed within the narrowest limits, we find
The title prefixed to the Compendium of Mela the monotony of the catalogue occasionally diversi-
in the best ÀSS. is De Situ Orbis Libri III. After fied by animated and pleasing pictures.
3 1 2
p. ir. 40)
. He was that
ugh raised to create
red the name and
Conseil, a Het item
Tac. AEL IT, in one
success ; but, leaning to its
honours in Veri:27
dim, he adhered to set
cupation was that of course
in Spain; and the
aduence with Nena bez
of procurator or ax: **
Mela married Accion*
i Corduba a prurinci ari
Acilia he had at least
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## p. 1012 (#1028) ##########################################

1012
MELAMPUS.
MELAMPUS.
name.
9.
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1
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be
2
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8
The Editio Princeps of Pomponius Mela ap- | ri. 48), by whom he became the father of Mantius
peared at Milan, in 4to. 1471, without any printer's and Antiphates (Hom. Od. xv. 225, &c. ). Apol-
Numerous editions were published before lodorus (i. 9. § 13) adds a son, Abas ; and Diodorus
the end of the fifteenth century, but the text first calls his children Bias, Antiphates, Manto, and
begin to assume an improved appearance in those Pronoe (comp. Paus. vi. 17. § 4). Melampus at
superintended by Vadianus, fol. Vienn. 1518, and first dwelt with Neleus at Pylus, afterwards he
fol. Basil. 1522, especially in the second. Further resided for a time at Phylace, near Mount Othrys,
emendations were introduced by Vinetus, 4to. with Phylacus and Iphiclus, and at last ruled over
Paris, 1572 ; by Schottus, 4to. Antv. 1582 ; but a third of the territory of Argos (Hom. I. c. ). 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
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## 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.