Pausanias Analysis

Passage 9.5.6

← 9.5.5 9.5.7 →

Passage 9.5.6: Amphion and Zethus defeat Lycus and found Thebes.

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

Λύκου δὲ ἐπιτροπεύοντος δεύτερον κατίασιν Ἀμφίων καὶ Ζῆθος δύναμιν ἀγείραντες. καὶ Λάιον μὲν ὑπεκκλέπτουσιν οἷς ἦν ἐπιμελὲς μὴ γενέσθαι τὸ Κάδμου γένος ἐς τοὺς ἔπειτα ἀνώνυμον, Λάκου δὲ οἱ τῆς Ἀντιόπης παῖδες τῇ μάχῃ κρατοῦσιν· ὡς δὲ ἐβασίλευσαν, τὴν πόλιν τὴν κάτω προσῴκισαν τῇ Καδμείᾳ καὶ Θήβας ὄνομα ἔθεντο κατὰ συγγένειαν τὴν Θήβης.

English Translation

During the second regency of Lycus, Amphion and Zethus returned after gathering an army. Although Laius was secretly removed by those who were careful that the race of Cadmus should not become extinct in succeeding generations, the sons of Antiope overcame Lycus in battle. Thus, having secured kingship, they colonized the lower city around the Cadmeia and called it Thebes, after their kinship with Thebe.

Proper Nouns

Zethus (Ζῆθος) person
Thebe (Θήβη) person
Also in: 5.22.6
Kadmos (Κάδμος) person
Laius (Λάιος) person
Also in: 9.5.5 9.5.9
Lacos (Λάκος) person
Lykos (Λύκος) person
Amphion (Ἀμφίων) person
Antiope (Ἀντιόπη) person
Thebes (Θῆβαι) place Q11225429
Cadmeia (Καδμεία) place Q1276854
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