Melas (mythology)

In Greek mythology, the name Melas refers to a number of characters.

• Melas, son of Poseidon and an unnamed nymph of Chios, brother of Agelus.^[1] He may or may not be identical to Melas, son of Poseidon, who was said to have given his name to the river Melas in Egypt, which was later renamed Nile.^[2]

• Melas, one of the sons of Phrixus and Chalciope.^[3][4] By Eurycleia, daughter of Athamas and Themisto, he became the father of Hyperes.^[5]

• Melas, one of the sons of Porthaon and Euryte.^[6] He was the father of Pheneus, Euryalus, Hyperlaus, Antiochus, Eumedes, Sternops, Xanthippus and Sthenelaus, who were all slain by Tydeus for plotting against their uncle Oeneus.^[7]

• Melas, one of the Tyrrhenian pirates who attempted to delude Dionysus but were transformed into dolphins by him.^[8]

• Melas, son of Licymnius. He and his brother Argius accompanied Heracles in his campaign against Eurytus, and both fell in the battle.^[9]

• Melas, son of Oenopion and brother of Talus, Euanthes, Salagus and Athamas. He, together with his father and brothers, sailed from Crete to Chios and settled there.^[1]

• Melas, son of Antasus, from Gonusa near Sicyon. He expressed desire to join the Dorians in their expedition against Corinth. Aletes consulted the oracle of Apollo about him; the god expressed disapproval, and Aletes at first told Melas to go and search for other allies among the Greeks, but then changed his mind and, neglecting the prophecy, let him join. Melas was the ancestor of Cypselus.^[10]

• Melas, son of Ops. Athena assumed his shape to persuade Teuthis not to withdraw his army from Aulis. Teuthis, outraged, hit whom he took for Melas with a spear and did return home. Later, he saw the wounded goddess in a dream; he was then struck with a wasting disease, and his country suffered from famine.^[11]

References

1. Pausanias, Description of Greece, 7. 4. 8
2. Pseudo-Plutarch, On Rivers, 16
3. Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 9. 1
4. Hyginus, Fabulae, 3
5. Scholia on Pindar, Pythian Ode 4. 221
6. Bibliotheca 1. 7. 10
7. Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 8. 5
8. Hyginus, Fabulae, 134
9. Bibliotheca 2. 7. 7
10. Pausanias, Description of Greece, 2. 4. 4; 2. 5. 18
11. Pausanias, Description of Greece, 8. 28. 5