Amphion
Definition
A legendary character in Greek mythology, son of Zeus and Antiope, and twin brother of Zethus. Gifted by the god Hermes with a magical lyre whose chords could move stones, Amphion rebuilt and fortified the walls of the city of Thebes, causing the rocks to move and stack themselves solely by the power of his divine music. He married Niobe and died of grief or committed suicide after their children were slain by Apollo and Artemis.
Bilingual Equivalents
- Amphion
Grammatical & Source Details
| Inflection Type | Proper masculine noun, singular, treated as an invariable epic structural designation. |
| Formation | Transliteration of the ancient Greek name combining spatial boundary roots with markers for surrounding power. |
| Spelling / Pronunciation | [æm.ˈfaɪ.ɒn] |
| Source | The Oxford Classical Dictionary and Cambridge Greek Myth Indexes |
Contextual Usage Examples
RO: În scrierile lui Apollodorus, se relatează cum Amphion și Zethus au preluat conducerea Tebei după detronarea lui Lycus.
EN: In the writings of Apollodorus, it is related how Amphion and Zethus took control of Thebes after deposing Lycus.
RO: Muzica lui Amphion era atât de pură, încât pietrele masive se aliniau singure pe pantele acropolei Cadmeia.
EN: Amphion's music was so pure that massive stones aligned themselves on the slopes of the Cadmeia acropolis.
RO: Tragedia bătuse la ușa lui Amphion atunci când trufia soției sale, Niobe, a atras mânia cumplită a Letei.
EN: Tragedy struck Amphion's door when the hubris of his wife, Niobe, drew the terrible wrath of Leto.
Idioms & Phrases
Lira lui Amphion / Amphion's lyre
RO: Simbol artistic al puterii creatoare a artei, capabilă să ordoneze haosul material și să clădească civilizații.
EN: An artistic symbol of the creative power of art, capable of ordering material chaos and building civilizations.
Zidurile lui Amphion / Theban walls of Amphion
RO: Metaforă poetică clasică ce desemnează fortificațiile legendare ale Tebei, dotate cu șapte porți faimoase.
EN: A classical poetic metaphor designating the legendary fortifications of Thebes, equipped with seven famous gates.
Amphion și Zethus / Amphion and Zethus dualism
RO: Tipologie mitologică ce ilustrează contrastul dintre omul contemplativ, dedicat artelor, și omul practic, dedicat muncii fizice și vânătorii.
EN: A mythological trope illustrating the contrast between the contemplative man, dedicated to arts, and the practical man, dedicated to physical labor and hunting.
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