Menyllus

(Μένυλλος).

1. A Macedonian, who was appointed by Antipater to command the garrison which he established at Munychia after the Lamian war, B. C. 322. He is said by Plutarch to have been a just and good man, and to have sought as far as possible to prevent the garrison from molesting the Athenians. He was on friendly terms with Phocion, upon whom he in vain sought to force valuable presents. On the death of Antipater, B. C. 319, he was replaced by Nicanor. (Diod. 18.18; Plut. Phoc. 28_31.)

2. Of Alabanda, was sent ambassador to Rome, in B. C. 162, by Ptolemy VI. Philometor, to plead his cause against his younger brother Physcon. The senate, however, espoused the cause of the latter, and the next year Menyllus was sent again to endeavour to excuse Ptolemy for his noncompliance with the orders of the senate. But they refused to listen to him, and ordered the embassy to quit Rome within five days. (Plb. 31.18, 32.1.) During his stay at Rome on the former occasion, Menyllus took an active part, in conjunction with the historian Polybius, in effecting the escape of Demetrius, the young king of Syria, who was detained at Rome as a hostage. (Id. 31.20-22.) [Demetrius.] [E.H.B]