a famous physician and soothsayer in fabulous history, was the son of Amythocon. His mother is variously represented to have been Edomene, Aglaia, and Rhodope. While living with his uncle Neleus, King of Pylos, in the Peloponnesus, he happened one day to fall asleep on the grass in front of his house. A brood of young serpents, which he had tamed, crawled upon his head, and began to lick his ears. Wakened by their touch, he started up, and discovered for the first time that he understood the chirping of the birds on the trees, and had thus acquired the means of interpreting the future. About the same time he had an interview with Apollo by the side of the Alpheus (Rufia), and was initiated by him into the mysteries of medicine. Melampus had gained great repute as a soothsayer, when his brother Bias fell violently in love with Pero, the daughter of King Neleus. The father, however, declared that no man could win the maiden's hand but he who should carry off the oxen of Iphiclus from Phylace. As that herd was guarded by a huge dog of noted ferocity, Bias did not dare to attempt the feat, but called in the aid of his soothsaying brother. Melampus accordingly proceeded to drive off the oxen, was caught, as he had foreseen, in the attempt, and was thrown into prison. During his confinement he contrived to make known his supernatural gifts, and was asked to prescribe a remedy by which Iphiclus might become a father. The prescription proved successful, and Melampus was presented with the coveted herd as a reward. He was next employed by Anaxagoras, King of Argos, to cure the women in his kingdom of an epidemic frenzy. In consideration of this service he was rewarded with one-third of the territory of Argos for himself, and another for his brother Bias. Instead of this story, however, some relate another. According to them, the three daughters of the Argive King Precut were the persons whom Melampus restored to sanity; and in return for his aid the physician received the land of Iphianassa, or Iphianeara, the eldest of the princesses, and a third part of the territory of her father. By this wife he is said to have had four children,—Antiphates, Manto, Bias, and Pronoe. Melampus was reckoned by the ancients to have been the first prophet, and the first who practised the art of medicine. The medicinal herb μεκαπτοδέν (sneezewort), acquired its name from having been first used by him. He received divine honours after death, and his temple was built at Egesthena in Megaris. His descendants were a family of prophets.