Melētus
(
Μέλητος) or
Melītus
(
Μέλιτος). An obscure tragic poet, but notorious as one of
the accusers of
Socrates (q.v.). It was he who made
the formal accusation before the archon; but he was really the least important of the three
accusers, and is said to have been bribed to take part in the proceedings. After the death of
Socrates, Meletus was stoned to death by the people, in the revulsion of feeling which they
experienced (
Apol.;
Diod.xiv. 37;
Diog. Laert. ii. 43).