In Greek mythology, Molpadia was an Amazon who was said to have fought for both Antiope and Orithyia. She was a participant in the Attic War, where she witnessed her queen Antiope sustain heavy injuries. Antiope was hurt so seriously that she could not defend herself from Theseus and his retainers. Knowing this, Molpadia killed the queen with an arrow (some say spear), saving her from violation by the Athenian king. Other sources, however, state that she killed Antiope by accident. She was afterwards killed by Theseus, and her tomb was shown at Athens.[1][2]
Like many other Amazons, she may have been named for a goddess, in this case a psychopomp deity. Her name means "Death Song".
Molpadia is not to be confused with another character of the same name, daughter of Staphylus and Chrysothemis, sister of Parthenos and Rhoeo, alternatively called Hemithea.[3]
Battle of the Amazons, Rubens. The Amazons against Theseus.
Cultural depictions
Molpadia is a supporting character in Evangeline Walton's 1983 historical fiction novel The Sword is Forged, which chronicles the story of Antiope and Theseus.[4]
On entering the city there is a monument to Antiope the Amazon. This Antiope, Pindar says, was carried of by Peirithous and Theseus,but Hegias of Troezen gives the following account of her. Heracles was besieging Themiscyra on the Thermodon, but could not take it, but Antiope, falling in love with Theseus, who was aiding Heracles in his campaign, surrendered the stronghold. Such is the account ofHegias. But the Athenians assert that when the Amazons came, Antiope was shot by Molpadia, while Molpadia was killed by Theseus. To Molpadia also there is a monument among the Athenians. Pausanias
References
Plutarch, Theseus, 27
Pausanias, Description of Greece, 1. 2. 1
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, 5. 52, 63
"The Sword is Forged by Evangeline Walton". Kirkus Reviews. 1983. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
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