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Alcmene

A mortal woman of Thebes, tricked by Zeus disguised as her own husband, and, through this union, the mother of the greatest of the Greek heroes, Heracles.

Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Greek mythology (Hesiod and Homer), with other tellings (Homer (Iliad and Odyssey), Ovid's Metamorphoses (Roman retelling), Regional and later Greek and Roman tradition) noted where relevant.

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Relationships

Spouse
Zeus
Children
Heracles

Introduction

Alcmene is a mortal woman of Thebes, wife of Amphitryon, and, through her union with Zeus, the mother of Heracles, the most celebrated of all Greek heroes.

This figure marks the point where the genealogy of the gods gives way to the genealogy of heroes. A fuller account of their adventures belongs to a separate treatment of the Greek Heroic Cycle; this article covers their divine parentage and place in that transition.

Family

Zeus's deception

While Alcmene's husband Amphitryon was away at war, Zeus took on his exact appearance and form to visit her, lengthening the night threefold to prolong the encounter. Amphitryon returned the following day, and Alcmene, unaware of the deception, conceived twins: Heracles by Zeus, and Iphicles by her mortal husband, born on the same night.

Hera's hostility

Hera, discovering the affair, delayed Alcmene's labour out of spite, and later persecuted the infant Heracles directly, sending serpents into his cradle, which the child famously strangled with his bare hands.

Sources

  1. Bibliotheca, Book 2 (primary text) — https://www.theoi.com/Text/Apollodorus1.html

This entry is independently written for myVamsam using the sources listed above. Where traditions differ, this entry identifies the relevant tradition rather than presenting one account as universally established fact.