MELIA

MELIA was the Naiad-nymph of the main spring or fountain of the town of Kios (Cius) in Bithynia (north-western Anatolia). She was loved by the old rustic-god Seilenos (Silenus) and bore him Dolion--the eponymous founding-king of the Doliones tribe of western Bithynia.

Melia's name was derived from the ancient Greek word meli "honey-sweet", an adjective frequently applied to the waters of a spring. Honey and water were also mixed with wine which further connects her with her mate, the old drunk god Seilenos. Her name was also connected with the word melia "ash-tree", the wood of which was used for crafting spears. She may therefore also have been numbered amongst Meliai tree-nymphs.

Melia was perhaps identified with two nymphs of the same name--Melia, the Peloponnesian wife of the god Seilenos, and Melia, a Bithynian nymph loved by the god Poseidon.

PARENTS

Perhaps a daughter of the local River ASKANIOS

OFFSPRING

DOLION (by Seilenos) (Strabo 12.4.8)

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Strabo, Geography 12. 4. 8 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Alexandros (Alexander) the Aitolian says, ‘who have their homes on the Askanian (Ascanian) streams [in Bithynia in Anatolia], on the lips of the Askanian Lake, where dwelt Dolion [eponym of the Doliones tribe] the son of Silenos (Silenus) and Melia.’"

SOURCES

GREEK

• Strabo, Geography - Greek Geography C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.