Melitus was a Barachan Pirate made his base of operations a winery in the slums of the port-city of Tortage in Zingara. He was originally allied to Conan of Cimmeria, Verucca, a slaver out of Tortage and the handsome Zurga in a united effort to pillage the trade coming and going between Zingara and Argos; though what part Melitus played in their alliance is not quite established.

As the quartet of pirate's wealth and prestige grew, Melitus sided with Verucca and Zurga in a bid to eliminate their Cimmerian ally. Though the trio failed to kill him, they did succeed in driving Conan from the city for a time. As news spread that the kingdom of Zingara had entered into a pact with its rival nation Argos to jointly rid the seas of the pirates that plagued their waters, Conan returned to Tortage under cover of darkness and killed Verucca for his part in their betrayal.

It was as Melitus was spending the evening drinking and wagering on animal pit-fights that he was interrupted by Conan of Cimmeria. Conan openly challenged him to a duel citing the code of Tortage, that “No captain cannot let a challenge go unanswered.”

The two engaged in single combat wearing blindfolds before the assemblage of pirates, but as the battle began to lean in Conan’s favor, Melitus cheated and lifted his blindfold from his eyes and successfully managed to slash Conan across his chest. This did little to help the cheating Melitus as his strike, and labored breathing let Conan know where his foe was, and the Cimmerian struck him across the top of his skull with his sword, killing him instantly.

After his death, the pirates once loyal to Melitus now fell under Conan’s command.