ANTIOPE IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Antiope was a beautiful maiden in Greek mythology, and is famous for being a lover of Zeus, and the mother of two sons for the supreme god.
Antiope of Thebes
Antiope is often referred to as a princess of Thebes, although the city founded by Cadmus was probably still known as Cadmea at the time. Antiope is normally called daughter of Nycteus and Polyxo; Nycteus being son of Chthonius, one of the Spartoi, who had assisted Cadmus in the building of the city.
Alternatively, Antiope might have been a Naiad, a daughter of the Potamoi Asopos, god of the river that ran through Boeotia.
Alternatively, Antiope might have been a Naiad, a daughter of the Potamoi Asopos, god of the river that ran through Boeotia.
Antiope the Maenad
Antiope would grow up to become the most beautiful of Boeotian maidens of the day; it was also said that, when of age, Antiope, became and Maenad, one of the female followers of the god Dionysus.
There are many different versions of the myth of Antiope, often with events occurring in different orders, but there are three main parts to the story of Antiope; her seduction by Zeus, Antiope’s leaving Thebes, and her return to Thebes.
There are many different versions of the myth of Antiope, often with events occurring in different orders, but there are three main parts to the story of Antiope; her seduction by Zeus, Antiope’s leaving Thebes, and her return to Thebes.
The Seduction of Antiope
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The beauty of Antiope was such that the princess of Thebes attracted the wandering eye of Zeus, who came to Boeotia to have his way with her.
Now, Zeus would often disguise himself to have his way with mortal women, including becoming the image of Amphitryon to seduce Alcmene, and becoming golden rain to be with Danae. In the case of Antiope, Zeus disguised himself as a Satyr, a disguise that would fit in with others within the retinue of Dionysus. |
Zeus and Antiope - Unknown 18th century - PD-art-100
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The disguise proved to be successful, and Antiope found herself pregnant by the Olympian god.
Zeus and Antiope - Detail from The Pardo Venus - Titian (1490-1576) - PD-art-100
The Departure of Antiope
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Antiope would thereafter depart from Thebes, either fleeing from her angry father, Nycteus, or abducted by the new king of Sicyon, Epopeus. In either case, Antiope was now in Sicyon.
Nycteus at this time was ruler of Thebes, for he was regent for the young Labdacus, and with command of the Theban army, Nycteus sought to retrieve Antiope. |
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The army of Thebes and that of Sicyon were evenly matched, and in the ensuring battle both Nycteus and Epopeus were injured, although Nycteus’ injury proved more severe, for he would die shortly after his return to Thebes.
Before his death, Nycteus entrusted the punishment of Epopeus, and the retrieval of Antiope, to Lycus, Nycteus’ brother, and the soon to become regent of Thebes.
Lycus proved more successful than his brother for, after a short siege, Lycus took Sicyon, killing Epopeus, and retrieving his niece, Antiope.
Before his death, Nycteus entrusted the punishment of Epopeus, and the retrieval of Antiope, to Lycus, Nycteus’ brother, and the soon to become regent of Thebes.
Lycus proved more successful than his brother for, after a short siege, Lycus took Sicyon, killing Epopeus, and retrieving his niece, Antiope.
Antiope Gives Birth
On the return journey to Thebes, Antiope would give birth to two boys, sons of Antiope and Zeus who were to be named Amphion and Zethus.
Antiope was commanded by Lycus to abandon her new born sons, possibly because Lycus believed them to be the sons of Epopeus; and so on Mount Cithairon, near to Eleutherae, Amphion and Zethus, were exposed, and left to die.
As often occurred, these abandoned children did not die, for a shepherd rescued them, and raised them as his own. Zeus had not abandoned his sons by Antiope either, for Hermes, taught his stepbrothers, and Amphion became a highly skilled musician, whilst Zethus was highly skilled at keeping cattle.
Antiope was commanded by Lycus to abandon her new born sons, possibly because Lycus believed them to be the sons of Epopeus; and so on Mount Cithairon, near to Eleutherae, Amphion and Zethus, were exposed, and left to die.
As often occurred, these abandoned children did not die, for a shepherd rescued them, and raised them as his own. Zeus had not abandoned his sons by Antiope either, for Hermes, taught his stepbrothers, and Amphion became a highly skilled musician, whilst Zethus was highly skilled at keeping cattle.
The Persecution of Antiope
Having left her sons behind, and believing them now dead, Antiope returned to Thebes, but it was not a happy return, for she was put into the care of Dirce, the wife of Lycus, who kept Antiope as her personal slave, with Antiope chained to prevent her leaving.
Some speculate that the reason for Dirce’ antipathy towards Antiope came about because, prior to her departure from Thebes, Antiope had actually been Lycus’ first wife; a situation which would not have been out of keeping with other mythological tales.
Some speculate that the reason for Dirce’ antipathy towards Antiope came about because, prior to her departure from Thebes, Antiope had actually been Lycus’ first wife; a situation which would not have been out of keeping with other mythological tales.
Antiope and Sons Reunited
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Years would pass, but Zeus had not abandoned his former lover, and one day, the chains that confined Antiope miraculously loosened, allowing Antiope to escape her captivity.
Zeus then guided Antiope to Mount Cithairon, where the Theban woman found refuge in a shepherd’s house. Unbeknownst to Antiope, this was the very house in which the grown up Amphion and Zethus also lived. By chance, shortly afterwards, Dirce herself came to Mount Cithairon for she too was a Maenad, and about to take part in rites connected with Dionysus. Dirce happened to sport Antiope, and commanded two nearby men to seize Antiope and tie her to a bull. Of course these two young men were the sons of Antiope, and although recognition between mother and children had not yet occurred, all was soon revealed, for the shepherd who had raised them, revealed the truth. Thus, it was not Antiope who was tied to the bull but Dirce, and the wife of Lycus was pulled apart; Amphion and Zethus then threw the body of Dirce into a pool, which subsequently bore her name. |
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The Story of Antiope Draws to an End
Amphion and Zethus then went to Thebes, where the either killed Lycus, or forced him to abdicate his position, and so Amphion became the king of Thebes, usurping Laius, who should have been king.
All though was not well for Antiope though, for Dionysus now sought revenge for the killing of his follower, Dirce, and as he could not harm other sons of Zeus, Antiope was the target of his anger. Antiope was thus sent mad by Dionysus.
Antiope would wander the land until she came to the land of Phocis, the kingdom ruled by Phocus, son of Ornytion. King Phocus was able to cure Antiope of her madness, and the king would then marry the former lover of Zeus. Antiope and Phocus would live out their lives together, and after death, the pair would be buried in a single tomb upon Mount Parnassus.
All though was not well for Antiope though, for Dionysus now sought revenge for the killing of his follower, Dirce, and as he could not harm other sons of Zeus, Antiope was the target of his anger. Antiope was thus sent mad by Dionysus.
Antiope would wander the land until she came to the land of Phocis, the kingdom ruled by Phocus, son of Ornytion. King Phocus was able to cure Antiope of her madness, and the king would then marry the former lover of Zeus. Antiope and Phocus would live out their lives together, and after death, the pair would be buried in a single tomb upon Mount Parnassus.
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