Melite (heroine)

In Greek mythology, Melite /ˈmɛlɨtiː/ (Ancient Greek: Μελίτη), daughter of Myrmex or Dius the son of Apollo, was the eponym of the deme Melite in Attica.[1] According to a scholiast on Aristophanes, Melite was a lover of Heracles who was initiated into the lesser mysteries during his stay in Attica; there was a temple of Heracles the Protector from Evil (Alexikakos) in the deme Melite.[2] Heracles and Melite have been recognized in the figures portrayed alongside Demeter on the right half of the west pediment of the Parthenon.[3]

Melite was also said to have been a companion of Poseidon.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Harpocration s. v. Melite (= Fragmenta Historicorum Graecorum, 1. 396, frg. 74), Photius, Lexicon s. v. Melite; Suda, s. v. Melite, with references to Hesiod and Musaeus
  2. ↑ Scholia on Aristophanes, Frogs, 501
  3. ↑ Roscher, s. 2644
  4. ↑ Scholia on Plato, Parmenides, 1

Sources