A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

2. From the nymphs the name Melissae was transferred to priestesses in general, but more especially to those of Demeter (Schol. (ad Pind. l.c.; Callim. Hymn. in Apoll. 110; Hesych. s. v. Μελισσαι), Persephone (Schol. (ad Theocrit. 15.94), and to the priestess of the Delphian Apollo. (Pind. P. 4.106; Schol. ad Eurip. Hippol. 72.) According to the scholiasts of Pindar and Euripides, priestesses received the name Melissae from the purity of the bee. Comp. a story about the origin of bees in Serv. ad Aen. 1.434.