A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology, Melissa

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Melissa

（*Me/lissa), that is, the soother or propitiator (from μελισσω or μειλίσσω), occurs:

1. As the name of a nymph who discovered and taught the use of honey, and from whom bees were believed to have received their name, μέλισσαι (Schol. ad Pind. Pyth. 4.104.) Bees seem to have been the symbol of nymphs, whence they themselves are sometimes called Melissae, and are sometimes said to have been metamorphosed into bees. (Schol. ad Pind. 1. c. ; Hesych. s. v. Ὀροδεμνίαδες; Columell. 9.2; Schol. (ad Theocrit. 3.13.) Hence also nymphs in the form of bees are said to have guided the colonists that went to Ephesus (Philostr. Icon. 2.8) ; and the nymphs who nursed the infant Zeus are called Melissae, or Meliae. (Ant. Lib. 19; Callim. Hymn. in Jov. 47; Apollod. 1.1.3.)

William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. In the article on Soranus, we find: "at this present time (1848)" and this date seems to reflect the dates of works cited. 1873 - probably the printing date.

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A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology
William Smith, Ed.

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Melissa

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology William Smith, Ed.

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Melissa

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology
William Smith, Ed.