Amphion

Amphion is a figure from Greek mythology who appears briefly in the underworld catalogue of Book XI of the Odyssey, where Odysseus recounts seeing the ghosts of famous women. He is the son of Zeus and Antiope, daughter of the river god Asopus, and the twin brother of Zethus. Together, the two brothers are credited with the founding of Thebes, the great city of seven gates. According to Odysseus's account, Amphion and Zethus built the wall that encircled the city, a feat they could not accomplish until they had fortified it completely. This brief mention places Amphion among the heroic founders and builders of the Greek mythological tradition, linking him to the establishment of one of the most important cities in Greek legend.

Identity and Lineage

Amphion is introduced in the Odyssey as the son of Zeus and Antiope. Antiope herself is described as the daughter of Asopus, a river god. The lineage thus connects Amphion directly to the highest of the Olympian gods and to the primordial forces of nature. His twin brother is Zethus, and together they are the legendary founders of Thebes. The mention of Amphion occurs within the larger context of Odysseus's journey to the underworld, where he encounters the shades of many heroines and heroes from the past. The catalogue of women includes Tyro, Antiope, Alcmena, Epicaste, Chloris, Leda, Iphimedeia, Phaedra, Procris, Ariadne, Maera, Clymene, and Eriphyle, among others. Amphion's mother Antiope is specifically noted for having "slept in the arms of even Jove himself" and for bearing him two sons, Amphion and Zethus.

Founding of Thebes

The central achievement attributed to Amphion and Zethus is the founding of Thebes. Odysseus's account states that the brothers "founded Thebes with its seven gates, and built a wall all round it; for strong though they were they could not hold Thebes till they had walled it." This detail emphasizes the necessity of fortification for the city's survival and highlights the brothers' role as civilizers and builders. The seven gates of Thebes became a defining feature of the city in later Greek literature and myth. The wall itself is a symbol of human ingenuity and collective effort, transforming a vulnerable settlement into a defensible stronghold. The mention of the wall also implicitly contrasts with the unfortified or lawless places encountered by Odysseus in his travels, such as the land of the Cyclopes, who "have no laws nor assemblies of the people, but live in caves on the tops of high mountains."

Narrative Role and Significance

In the Odyssey, Amphion appears only as a name within a genealogical and mythological catalogue. His story is not developed in its own right but serves to populate the underworld with figures from the heroic age, reinforcing the epic's connection to a broader tradition of Greek myth. The catalogue of women, which includes Amphion's mother Antiope, is part of Odysseus's narration to the Phaeacians, a performance that establishes his credentials as a man of wide experience and deep knowledge. The inclusion of Amphion and Zethus among the founders of Thebes also subtly underscores themes of building, order, and civilization that run throughout the Odyssey, contrasting with the destructive and chaotic forces that Odysseus must overcome. The brief reference to Amphion thus contributes to the epic's rich tapestry of mythological allusion, linking the hero's personal journey to the larger narratives of Greek cultural memory.