MOLIONE IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
In Greek mythology, Molione was the mother of a famous pair of twins, the Molionides, she herself was famous for seeking accountability after her sons’ deaths.
Molione Daughter of Molus
Molione was the daughter of Molus, a prince of Aetolia; making Molione granddaughter of the god Ares. The mother of Molione is not named in surviving sources.
Molione Wife of Actor
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Molione would marry Actor, a prince of Elis, and brother to the more famous Augeas; cementing relationships between Elis and Aetolia.
Now, some say that Molione fell pregnant by her husband, but others say that instead, Molione was seduced by the god Poseidon. In the more fantastical tale, Poseidon seduced Molione whilst in the form of a bird, much as Zeus had done with Leda, when he was a swan. |
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From a brief relationship between bird and princess, Molione would give birth to a silver egg; and from this egg came forth twins, Cleatus and Eurytus. These two twin brothers were collectively known as the Molionides.
Some say that the sons of Molione were Siamese-twins, with one body, but four arms, four legs and two heads, although others say that they were two separate men, but were inseparable, as always in the company of the other.
Some say that the sons of Molione were Siamese-twins, with one body, but four arms, four legs and two heads, although others say that they were two separate men, but were inseparable, as always in the company of the other.
The Fate of the Sons of Molione
The sons of Molione were commanders in the army of Elis, when Heracles attacked the kingdom of Augeas. The Molionides did well to repulse Heracles, and the demi-god, whilst ill, arranged a truce with King Augeas. The sons of Molione broke the truce though, and Heracles army was almost wiped out, although Heracles escaped unharmed.
Heracles plotted his revenge. Heracles would be told that the Molionides were heading the to Isthmian Games to make sacrifices for Elis; and so, Heracles set an ambush, and at Cleonae, the sons of Molione were killed.
Heracles plotted his revenge. Heracles would be told that the Molionides were heading the to Isthmian Games to make sacrifices for Elis; and so, Heracles set an ambush, and at Cleonae, the sons of Molione were killed.
Molione After the Death of her Sons
Initially, it was not clear who had killed the Molionides, and so Molione investigated. It did not take long for Molione to find out that Heracles was responsible. Molione had the Eleans seek atonement for the Argives, for Heracles was residing in Toryns at the time. The Argives though refused.
Molione then sought to have the Corinthians bad the Argives from future Isthmian Games, but the games of Corinth were normally open to everyone, even when polis were fighting each other, and so the Corinthians also refused Molione’s request.
Molione thus forbade any Eleans from taking part in future Isthmian Games, and from that day on, no one from Elis did compete.
Subsequently though, nothing more is said about Molione, her life, or death.
Molione then sought to have the Corinthians bad the Argives from future Isthmian Games, but the games of Corinth were normally open to everyone, even when polis were fighting each other, and so the Corinthians also refused Molione’s request.
Molione thus forbade any Eleans from taking part in future Isthmian Games, and from that day on, no one from Elis did compete.
Subsequently though, nothing more is said about Molione, her life, or death.
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Colin Quartermain - Molione - 1st March 2026