Introduction
Amphitryon was a Mycenaean nobleman, grandson of Perseus, who became the mortal husband of Alcmene after being exiled for accidentally killing her father Electryon.
Family
- Spouse: Alcmene (married)
The Two Fathers of Heracles
While Amphitryon was away avenging a raid on Alcmene's kin, Zeus took his exact form and lay with Alcmene, extending the night threefold. Amphitryon returned the same day and also lay with his wife, so that Alcmene bore twins from two fathers: the divine Heracles and the mortal Iphicles. Amphitryon nonetheless raised Heracles as his own son and features throughout the hero's early life, including the madness episode that led to the Twelve Labors.
As with all figures of Greek heroic legend, sources diverge on many particulars; the account above follows the most widely transmitted classical tradition.