Merops

• A king of Ethiopia, husband of Clymene, and reputed to be the father of Phaëthon, Ov. M. 1, 763; id. Tr. 3, 4, 30.—
• II A king of the isle of Cos, from whose name its inhabitants in early times were called Meropes, Quint. 8, 6, 71.—
• III A Roman proper name, Inscr. Mur. 887, 5.

(Μέροψ).

1. The father of Eumelus, king of the island of Cos, which he thus called after his daughter, while the inhabitants were called after him, Meropes. His wife, the nymph Ethemea, was killed by Artemis, because she had neglected to worship that goddess, and was carried by Persephone to the lower world. Merops, from a desire after his wife, wished to make away with himself, but Hera changed him into an eagle, whom she placed among the stars. (Hygin. Pöet. Astr. 2.16; Ant. Lib. 15; Eustath. ad Hom. p. 318 ; Eur. Hel. 384.

2. Also called Maerops, a king of the Ethiopians, by whose wife, Clymene, Helios became the father of Phaeton. (Strab. i. p.33; Ov. Met. 1.763, Trist. 3.4. 30; comp. Welcker, Die Aeschyl. Tril. p. 572, &c.)

3. A king of Rhindacus, of Percote, on the Hellespont, is also called Macar, or Macareus. He was a celebrated soothsayer and the father of Cleite, Arisbe, Amphius, and Adrastus. (Hom. Il. 2.831, 11.329; Apollon. 1.975; Strab. xiii. p.586; Conon, Narrat. 41; Steph. Byz. s. v. Ἀρίσξη; Serv. ad Aen. 9.264; Apollod. 3.12.5.)

4. A Trojan, who was slain by Turnus in his attack on the camp of Aeneas. (Virg. Aen. ix. 702.) [L.S]

(Μέροψ). (1) A king of the Ethiopians, by whose wife, Clymené, Helios (Sol) became the father of Phaëthon.

(2) A king of Cos, husband of the nymph Ethemea, and father of Eumelus. His wife was slain by Artemis for neglect of her worship; whereupon Merops wished to take his own life, but was changed by Heré into an eagle and placed among the stars (Astr. ii. 16).

(3) King of Rhyndacus on the Hellespont. He is also called Macar or Macareus, and was a famous seer. His children were Clité, Arisbé, Amphius, and Adrastus.

• Apollod. 3.12.4
• teaches Aesacus the interpretation of dreams: Apollod. 3.12.5
• father of Adrastus and Amphius: Apollod. E.3.34