Melias (Greek: Μελίας; died 973 or 974) was a Byzantine general of Armenian origin, active in the wars against the Arabs in the east under Nikephoros II Phokas and John I Tzimiskes.
Churches of Göreme) at Çavuşin in Cappadocia, which was built and painted during the reign of Tzimiskes' predecessor Nikephoros II Phokas (r. 963–969) to commemorate him and his family.
The first expedition, in autumn and winter of 972, was led by Tzimiskes in person and resulted in the capture of Nisibis and Mayyafariqin (Greek: Martyropolis), forcing the local Arab ruler, the Hamdanid emir Abu Taghlib, to agree to pay an annual tribute in exchange for the Byzantines' withdrawal.
[4] Tzimiskes then withdrew from the area, but left Melias in his stead as Domestic of the Schools of the East (commander-in-chief of the eastern field army).
The 11th-century historian Yahya of Antioch and Stephen of Taron record that he remained captive at Abu Taghlib's court until his death in February/March 974.