A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

Μιμαλλών, (or Μιμαλών, the Macedonian name of the Bacchantes, or, according to others, of Bacchic Amazons (Strab. x. p.468 ; Plut. Alex. 2; Lycoph. 1464). The name is commonly connected with the verb μιμεῖσθαι, to imitate, because on one occasion, it is said, the Macedonians while at war with the Illyrian king Calander, added the Bacchantes to their army, in order to make it appear more numerous (Schol. ad Pers. Sat. i. 99) ; but the etymology is uncertain. Ovid (Ars Am. 1.541) uses the form Mimallonides for Mimallones.

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