Melissanthi (Greek: Μελισσάνθη) was the pen name used by Eve Chougia-Skandalaki (Greek: Ήβη Κούγια - Σκανδαλάκη; April 8, 1910^[1] – November 9, 1991), a Greek poet, teacher and journalist.^[2] Some sources say that she died in 1990.^[3] Her first name also appears as Ivi or Hebe; her surname also appears as Koúyia or Koughia.^[2]

She was born Eve Chougia in Athens and studied music, drawing, ballet and classical dance. From 1923 to 1924, she was in a Swiss sanitarium recovering from tuberculosis.^[1] She studied French, German and English at institutes in Athens.^[3] She went on to teach French in Athens high schools. She also contributed critical essays to newspapers and literary journals. In 1932, she married Giannes Skandalákis (Greek: Ιωάννη Σκανδαλάκη).^[1]

Her first poetry collection Phōnes entomou (Insect voices) was published in 1930. She went on to publish ten poetry collections. A collection of her poetry Ta poiimata tis Melissanthis 1930-1974 (The poems of Melissanthi) was published in 1976. She also wrote a children's play O mikros adhelfos (The little brother), which received the Sikiaridio Prize. She translated the works of foreign poets such as Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson^[1] and Rainer Maria Rilke into Greek.^[3]

Her early poetry draws its inspiration from religious themes; later poems are influenced by existential concepts.^[3]

Awards that she received include:

• an Athens Academy Award in 1936 for O gyrismos tou asotou
• a Palamas Honourable Mention in 1945 for Lyriki Exomologisi^[4]
• a State Prize for Poetry in 1965
• a Gold Cross of the Order of Deeds of Merit in 1965^[1]