(elaio ̄n) – on various parts of the human body. Reading like a horoscope in predicting the
course of a human life, the essay proceeds from head to toe. Melampous’ signs reflect
Hellenistic melothesia. Moles on the nose, for example, suggest sexual insatiability
(3): the nose is governed by Aphrodite (V V 1.1). Birthmarks seem to enhance
the function of the body part to which they bring attention. Melampous’ predictions for
moles on the belly (gluttonous behavior: 15), the spleen (sickliness: 16) and genitalia ( parents
of same-sex children) follow anatomical function. (II) On Bodily Tremors (Peri palmo ̄n mantike ̄s),
addressed to Ptolemaïs, likewise descends from head to toe, right to left, detailing the signs
indicated by trembling of quite specific body parts often connected to deities, e.g., each ear,
the tip of the nose (right side and left) and each finger and toe (and all parts between). For
example, the third finger of the right hand, governed by Kronos, indicates glory for some,
subjugation for slaves, and illness for virgins; a palpitation of the left knee presages great
unhappiness for all. Melampous offers predictions especially for slaves, virgins, and widows,
and refers to named and generalized sources (Phe ̄mo ̄n, Antipho ̄n, and the “Egyptians”:
461 Franz). (III) In Prognostication by the Moon (peri to ̄n te ̄s sele ̄ne ̄s progno ̄seo ̄n), the Moon in various
signs together with weather (thunder, clouds, wind) offers signs for political and agricultural
ventures: e.g., a blood-red Moon in Ram portends a fruitful grain crop; with Moon in
Taurus, winds portend flock destruction and noises from the sky indicate civil war; if an
earthquake occurs with Moon in Gemini, war is evident; with Moon in Cancer, thunder
presages crop-destruction.
Ed.: J.G.F. Franz, Scriptores Physiognomoniae ueteres (1780) 451–508; CCAG 4 (1903) 110–113.
RE 15.1 (1931) 404–405 (#9), W Kroll; H. Diels, Beiträge zur Zuckungsliteratur des Okzidents und Orients
2 vv. (1908–1909; repr. 1970); OCD3 952, anonymous.
GLIM
Melampous of Sarnaka (500 – 25 BCE)
Listed among minor artisans and artists; compiled rules of architectural symmetry
(V 7.pr.14).
RE 15.1 (1931) 405 (#10), G. Lippold.
GLIM
Meleagros (ca 350 BCE – ca 200 CE)
D L 2.92 cites Meleagros’ On Philosophical Opinions, Book 2, on Aristippos
of Kure ̄ne ̄ (So ̄crate ̄s’ student); Meleagros doubtless included other philosophers. Perhaps
the same as the Cynic philosopher and poet Meleagros of Gadara (ca 100 BCE).
OCD3 953 (the Cynic), A.D.E. Cameron.
PTK
Mele ̄tos (20 BCE – 25 CE)
P lists him after D and A “M,” and before A and
A S (1.ind.28 and 28.7–8) as giving medicines from the human body, and
cites him as claiming human gall cures cataracts. A, in G CMLoc 6.6
(12.946–947 K.), indicating that he wrote a multi-volume work on pharmacy, cites two
MELE ̄TOS