MELICERTA, MELICERTES, or Melicertus, in fabulous history, a son of Athamas and Ino. He was saved by his mother from the fury of his father, who prepared to dash him against a wall as he had done his brother Learchus. The mother was so terrified that she threw herself into the sea with Melicerta in her arms. Neptune had compassion on the misfortunes of Ino and her son. He changed them both into sea deities. Ino was called Leneothoe or Matura; and Melicerta was known among the Greeks by the name of Palamon, and among the Latins by that of Portunus. Some suppose that the Isthmian games were instituted in honour of Melicerta.