InGreek mythology,Meilichios was an archaicchthonicdaimon honored inAthens. Meilichios was later worshipped with theepithet ofZeus, asZeus Meilichius orMeilichios. In her book 'Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion' (1903),Jane Ellen Harrison explained that the Diasia festival, the greatest Athenian festival dedicated to Zeus, evolved from an older ceremony meant to appease Meilichios.
"Meilichios", the "Easy-to-be-entreated", the gracious, accessible one, was theeuphemistic aspect of "Maimaktes, he who rages eager, panting and thirsting for blood." (Harrison,p. 17).[1]
Suda wrote that Dasia (Διάσια) was a festival of Zeus Meilichios at Athens and it is called this from the verb διαφυγεῖν ("to escape" or "to flee") and the noun ἄσαι ("troubles" or "suffering"). However, modern scholars believe that this etymology is speculative and debate its accuracy.[2]
Explicitly inscribed votive reliefs show that Meilichios was figured in the form of aserpent, who might be invoked as a kind ofPloutos, bringer of wealth. He had some of the avenging and fearful character of anErynis, forPausanias saw near the RiverCephissus "an ancient altar of Zeus Meilichios; on itTheseus received purification from the descendants of Phytalos after he had slain among other robbers Sinis, who was related to himself". Meilichios' sacrifice was aholocaust, which was wholly consumed in fire and not shared by the votaries, "a dread renunciation to a dreadful power" (Harrison,p. 16), in nocturnal rites performed in an atmosphere of "chilly gloom" (Harrison), that was rendered in Greek asstygiotes.
While bearing the name 'Zeus', Zeus Olympios, the greatking of the gods, noticeably differs from Zeus Meilichios, a decidedly Chthonian character, often portrayed as a snake,[3] and as seen beforehand, they are not different manifestations of the same god.[4] Whenever 'another Zeus' is mentioned, this always refers to Hades.[5] Zeus Meilichios and ZeusEubouleus are often referred to being alternate names for Hades.[6]
Zeus Meilichios is also identified asAgathodaemon, orAgathos Daimon, meaning a 'noble spirit', which was a sort of a household god.[7] Zeus Meilichios was invoked in anOrphic Hymn to Zeus as the Daimon. This represents an old serpentine aspect of Zeus associated with fortune.[8][9]
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