Nycteus (mythology)

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Nycteus is a name used for more than one figure in Greek mythology. The best-known Nycteus was a king of Thebes. He is linked to the story of Antiope, the mother of Amphion and Zethus. After Nycteus’s death, Lycus and his wife Dirce ruled Thebes, persecuted Antiope, and caused how the city’s legends unfolded. Amphion and Zethus later avenged Antiope and helped build or restore Thebes, and Dirce was killed.

In some accounts, another Nycteus appears as a minor Theban figure or descendant, but the details vary by source.