Meilichios

Meilichios (Greek Μειλίχιος, " friendly", " weighed ") is an epithet of various Greek gods, particularly of Zeus. Whether the epithet for an angry imaginary God, it is friendly to vote, or applied to a generally benevolent God was imaginary, it is unclear in ancient literature, both options were accepted as an explanation. Another meaning is available with the derivation of the epithet from the Semitic root MLK ( מלך, Moloch ), the " reign " or " rule " means.

Zeus Meilichios

Zeus Meilichios exemplifies both for its iconography as well as because of his cult of how the ' combination of God and epithet could assume a quasi- autonomous identity. " His cult is attested by hundreds of documents in almost all over the Greek world. In consecrations his name is sometimes shortened to Meilichios or it is called as in Lebadeia Daimon Meilichios, on a votive offering from Thespeia he is even associated with the female form Meiliche.

His cult is characterized by two features: firstly, temples dedicated to him are extremely rare, the few examples include his temple in the sanctuary of Demeter Malophoros in Selinunte or a temple of Jupiter Meilichios in Pompeii, on the other hand are not dedicated to him festivals known, with exception of the Attic Diasia, which in turn is a special feature of the Greek festivals. Although participants from all over Attica homed to the feast, it was not funded by the polis of Athens and also not celebrated jointly by the fixed participants. Rather, it was committed independently by many small groups at the same time and same place. At various places in Greece votive offerings were found, which are directed by inscriptions to a Zeus Meilichios a family or even to a Zeus Meilichios an individual, so it is assumed that he was revered by families or family-like communities who worshiped each their own Zeus Meilichios. His sacrifice consisted of burnt offerings, gifts without libation that were atypical of the Greek cult practice, and possibly meatless gifts.

According to Pausanias, and Plutarch it appears with the cleaning connected, especially the guilt of blood, Xenophon calls him the bringer of prosperity.

On consecration reliefs Meilichios is often depicted as a giant snake. On representations showing him in human form, he often carries a cornucopia as a sign of prosperity. Inscriptions, he is occasionally associated with underworld deities such as the Eumenides, the Enodia or Tritopatores in relationship, but without itself be considered a god of the dead.

Theoi Meilichioi

As Theoi Meilichioi ( θεοί μειλίχιοι ) is a group of anonymous deities named, whose cult in Western Locris and at Thebes in Thessaly is detectable. Phlegon of Tralles mentions it in his Olympiades as an oracle deities. The only surviving information about their cult is that the victim of the Locrian Theoi Meilichioi took place at night and had to be completed before the break of day.

Other deities

In addition to Zeus and the Theoi Meilichioi the use of the epithet is attested for the cult following deities:

• Dionysus on Naxos
• Athena at Epidauros alongside Zeus Meilichios and in Metapontum
• Hera in Hierapytna beside Zeus Meilichios
• May the Nymphs in Astypalaia ( reading uncertain)

In ancient literature Leto, Hypnos, The Muses, Tyche, and Aphrodite surnamed Meilichios or Meilichia also appear. About the cult of the individual gods is not known.