Amphion and Zethus

Born to Antiope (commonly by Zeus, though some accounts name Theobus), the twins were exposed on Mount Cithaeron and found and raised by shepherds. As adults they rescued and recognized their mother, took vengeance on Dirce (traditionally bound to a bull), and led the conquest/liberation of Thebes. They became joint rulers and are credited with building the walls of the Cadmea; their parentage, exposure on Cithaeron, shepherd upbringing, revenge on Dirce, and joint rule are attested across the source tradition.

Classical iconography and literary summaries associate Amphion with a lyre—sometimes described as a golden lyre given by Hermes—and identify him as a famed singer and musician. Zethus is depicted with attributes of hunting and husbandry (hunting dogs, cattle, or herdsman's implements). Sources do not provide standardized bodily descriptions beyond these symbolic attributes.

In mythic narrative Amphion is a master musician taught by Hermes (in some accounts receiving a golden lyre) whose playing caused the stones of Thebes' walls to move into place; Zethus supplies the practical strength and labor, carrying stones and managing cattle. Sources frame the wall‑building as performed at Apollo's command in some accounts. Their later behaviors include ruling jointly, familial marriages (Amphion to Niobe; Zethus to Thebe or variants), and tragic responses to the slaughter of Niobe's children and to other family deaths—accounts differ whether these lead to suicide, divine killing, or other ends.