Amphion and Zethus

In Greek mythology, twin sons of Zeus by the mortal Antiope.

As infants the two were left to die on Mount Cithaeron, but were found and raised by a shepherd. Amphion grew up to become a great musician and singer, while Zethus became a hunter and herdsman. According to legend, they built the city of Thebes after the stone blocks arranged themselves into walls at the sound of Amphion's lyre. Amphion became king of Thebes, and he married Niobe, with whom he had six sons and six daughters. When their children were killed by the gods, he committed suicide.

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▪ Greek mythology

      in Greek mythology, the twin sons of Zeus by Antiope. When children, they were left to die on Mount Cithaeron but were found and brought up by a shepherd. Amphion became a great singer and musician, Zethus a hunter and herdsman. (In Euripides' lost Antiope the two young men debate which has more advantages, the quiet or the active life; the passage is often mentioned in ancient literature.) After rejoining their mother, they built and fortified Thebes, huge blocks of stone forming themselves into walls at the sound of Amphion's lyre. Amphion later married Niobe and killed himself after the loss of his wife and children.

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