In Greek mythology, Amphion (Ancient Greek: Ἀμφίων) was the twin son of Zeus and Antiope, brother of Zethus, and co-founder of Thebes. Hermes gave him a golden lyre; when the brothers built the city's walls, Amphion's music made the stones move into place of their own accord. He married Niobe and perished after Apollo and Artemis destroyed their children. This atlas entry is the Theban wall-builder — not the Minyan king of Orchomenus (`amphion-orchomenus`) or the Argonaut from Pella (`amphion-pella`).
Adapted from Wikipedia, "Amphion and Zethus" and "Amphion" · CC BY-SA 4.0
I.Childhood and Thebes
Exposed with Zethus on Mount Cithaeron and raised by herdsmen, Amphion practiced minstrelsy while his twin devoted himself to cattle and hard labor. Hermes taught him to play and gave him a golden lyre. After recognizing their mother Antiope, the twins punished Dirce and Lycus and took Thebes.
They built the fortifications of the Cadmea at Apollo's command. While Zethus carried stones by brute strength, Amphion played the lyre and the rocks followed and fitted themselves into place. Pausanias records an Egyptian-flavored legend that Amphion employed magic to build the walls.
II.Niobe and death
Amphion married Niobe, daughter of Tantalus; through that marriage he was said to have learned the Lydian mode and added strings to his lyre. When Niobe insulted Leto, Apollo and Artemis killed the Niobids. In Ovid, Amphion commits suicide from grief; according to Telesilla, Artemis and Apollo murder him with his children; Hyginus has him attack Apollo's temple in madness and fall to the god's arrows. After Amphion and Zethus die, Laius returns to Thebes as king.
III.Homonyms
Greek myth knows several Amphions. The Minyan king of Orchomenus, son of Iasus and father of Chloris, is a separate figure (`amphion-orchomenus`). An Achaean Argonaut from Pellene/Pella, son of Hyperasius, sails with Jason (`amphion-pella`). Other namesakes include an Elean warrior at Troy and a centaur at the Lapith wedding. This notice concerns only the Theban twin and lyre-builder.