Author(s):
Johannsen, Nina (Kiel)
|
Harmon, Roger (Basle)
(Ζῆθος/
Zêthos). [German version] [1] Son of Zeus and Antiope (Pind. fr. 52k,44: Ζέαθος/
Zéathos). Son of Zeus and Antiope [1]. A parallel is sometimes drawn between Z. and his twin brother Amphion [1], and Castor and Polydeuces (Dioscuri) (Pherecydes FGrH 3 F 124; Eur. HF 29). Together with Zeus, Epopeus is also considered to be their father (Asius fr. 1 EpGF). Exposed after birth, the twins are brought up by herdsmen (Exposure, myths and legends of). When Antiope manages to escape from her captivity by Dirce [1] to her sons, initially she is turned away by Z.. Later, however, the sons take revenge for the suffering of their mother by killing Dirce (Schol. Apoll. Rhod. 4,1090; Prop. 3,15,29-42; Hyg. Fab. 8). The two brothers take part in the voyage of the Argonauts; together they build the walls of Thebes (Thebes [2 III.]; Hom. Od. 11,260-265; Hes. fr. 182 M.-W.; Apoll. Rhod. 1,735-741; Apollod. 3,42-45). Here, their fundamentally different natures are shown quite clearly: according to Apollonius Rhodius, the stalwart oxherd Z. moves stones with muscle power, by contrast they follow the artistic lyre-playing of Amphion of their own accord. In literature, the twins are often used to illustrate the contrast between practical and philosophical ways of life (Plat. Grg. 485e; 506b; Rhet. Her. 2,43; Cic. De orat. 2,155; Practical Philosophy C; Rationality D). The two are rulers in Thebes. Z. marries Aedon (according to Apollod. 3,45: Thebe), their children are Itylus and Neis. After his mother had murdered Itylus by mistake, Z. dies of grief and is buried in Thebes (Hom. Od. 19,518-523 with Schol.; Paus. 9,5,9; Eur…