1 The fact that Molon proclaimed himself king is known only from his coinage. Three types of his coins are known: a unique silver tetradrachm from Susa mint and two types of bronze coins, one from Seleukeia on the Tigris mint and the second from Ekbatana mint. All these coins bear the inscription ‘ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΟΛΩΝΟΣ’. See Houghton and Lorber, Seleucid Coins, A Comprehensive Catalogue. Part I, Vol. 1, pp. 343-345.

Molon took control of the eastern parts of the Seleukid empire (Polybios, Histories, 5.40.6-5.41.1, 5.43.5-8 and 5.48.10-16):

Polybios, Histories, 5.40.6-5.41.1: Antiochus (Antiochos III) ... began to reign, entrusting the government of Asia on this side of Taurus to Achaeus (Achaios) and that of the upper provinces to Molon and his brother Alexander, Molon being satrap of Media and Alexander of Persia. These brothers, despising the king on account of his youth, and hoping that Achaeus would associate himself with them in their design, dreading at the same time the cruelty and malice of Hermeias (the chief minister of Seleukos III and Antiochos III), who was now at the head of the government, entered on a revolt, attempting to engage the upper satrapies in it.

Polybios, Histories, 5.43.5-8: Meanwhile Molon, having worked upon the troops in his own satrapy (Media) till they were ready for anything, by the hopes of booty he held out and the fear which he instilled into their officers by producing forged letters from the king couched in threatening terms, having also a ready coadjutor in his brother Alexander, and having secured the support of the neighbouring satrapies by gaining the favour of their governors with bribes, marched out with a large army against the king’s generals. Xenon and Theodotus (Antiochos III’s generals), terror-struck by his approach, withdrew into the towns, and Molon making himself master of the territory of Apollonia was now abundantly furnished with supplies.

Polybios, Histories, 5.48.10-16: Molon took possession of Xenoetas’ (Antiochos III’s general) camp and afterwards crossing the river in safety, as he met with no opposition, Zeuxis (Antiochos III’s general) having fled before his attack, took the camp of the latter also. After these successes he advanced with his army on Seleucia (Seleukeia on the Tigris). He took it at the first assault, as Zeuxis and Diomedon, the governor of the city, had abandoned it, and advancing now at his ease, reduced the upper Satrapies. After making himself master of Babylonia and the coasts of the Persian gulf he reached Susa. This city he also took at the first assault, but the assaults he made on the citadel were unsuccessful, as the general Diogenes had thrown himself into it before his arrival. Abandoning this attempt, he left a force to invest it and hurried back with the rest of his army to Seleucia on the Tigris. Here he carefully refreshed his troops and after addressing them started again of pursue his further projects, and occupied Parapotamia as far as the town of Europus and Mesopotamia as far as Dura.

2 A unique silver tetradrachm with his portrait from Susa mint shows him as a man between about 30 and 40 years old, see Houghton and Lorber, Seleucid Coins, A Comprehensive Catalogue. Part I, Vol. 2, Plate 47 (coin 950).

3 Grainger, A Seleukid Prosopography and Gazetteer, p. 51; Houghton and Lorber, Seleucid Coins, A Comprehensive Catalogue. Part I, Vol. 1, p. 343

4 Polybios, Histories, 5.53.11-5.54.7: He (Molon) gave the command of his left wing to his brother Neolaus and took command of the right wing himself. When the armies now advanced against each other, Molon’s right wing remained faithful and vigorously engaged Zeuxis’ force (Antiochos III’s general), but the left wing, as soon as they closed and came in sight of the king (Antiochos III), went over to the enemy, upon which Molon’s whole force lost heart, while the confidence of the king’s army was redoubled. Molon, aware of what had happened and already surrounded on every side, haunted by the tortures he would suffer if he were taken alive, put an end to his life, and all who had taken any part in the plot escaped each to his home and perished in like manner. Neolaus, escaping from the battle to his brother Alexander in Persia, killed his mother and Molon’s children and afterwards himself, persuading Alexander to follow his example. The king after plundering the enemy’s camp ordered Molon’s body to be crucified in the most conspicuous place in Media. This sentence was at once executed by the officials charged with it, who took the body to the Callonitis and crucified it at the foot of the ascent to Mount Zagrus.

5 Alexander is mentioned as Molon’s brother by Polybios, Histories, 5.40.6, 5.43.6 and 5.54.5. Neolaus is mentioned as Molon’s brother in ibid, 5.53.11 and 5.54.5. For the quotations, see footnotes 1 and 4.