Zeus seduced Antiope in the form of a satyr, fathering the twins Amphion and Zethus, who later built the walls of Thebes — Amphion's lyre moving stones into place.
Amphion and Niobe ruled as king and queen of Thebes. The Niobids — their seven sons and seven daughters — were slain by Apollo and Artemis after Niobe boasted of surpassing Leto.
⚠ Homer (Iliad 24.604) counts six sons and six daughters; Hesiod (fr. 183 MW) gives ten of each; the Apollodoran and later tradition settles on seven and seven.
The twins Zethus and Amphion embodied contrasting virtues — physical strength and artistic genius — yet united to conquer Thebes and build its walls, their complementary gifts creating what neither could alone.
Amphion and Zethus killed Dirce to avenge their mother Antiope's years of mistreatment. They tied her to a wild bull that dragged her to death, a scene famous in ancient art.
Amphion and Zethus killed Lycus of Thebes to avenge their mother Antiope, whom Lycus had imprisoned and allowed Dirce to torment for years. The twins then seized the Theban throne.
Zethus co-ruled Thebes with his twin Amphion after overthrowing Lycus. Together they fortified the city with its famous seven-gated walls, Zethus hauling stones by brute strength.
Niobe and Amphion ruled Thebes, where Amphion's lyre had built the city's famous seven-gated walls. The slaughter of the Niobids by Apollo and Artemis devastated the royal house.
Cadmus founded Thebes after following a cow as instructed by the Delphic oracle, establishing the Cadmeia as its citadel. Amphion later built the city's famous walls by playing his golden lyre, the stones moving into place of their own accord.
Amphion was Antiope's son by Zeus. Though separated at birth, he later recognized his mother when she fled to the shepherds who had raised him, and he avenged her suffering.
After Apollo and Artemis slew the Niobids, Amphion stormed Apollo's temple in a rage and was struck down by the god for the sacrilege.
⚠ Ovid says Amphion killed himself with a sword in grief, while Apollodorus states Apollo slew him for attacking his temple.
Hermes gave Amphion a golden lyre and taught him to play, recognizing the young man's innate musical gift. With this divine instrument, Amphion later moved the stones that formed the walls of Thebes.
After Apollo and Artemis slew all fourteen children of Niobe and Amphion, Amphion stormed the temple of Apollo in fury and was struck down by the god's arrows beside the bodies of his sons.
⚠ Apollodorus says Amphion was killed by Apollo at the temple; Ovid's account implies suicide from grief.
We use cookies to understand how you use our site and improve your experience. Learn more