Alcmene
Also known as: Alcmene · Alcmena
- 1She was the wife of Amphitryon and the mother of Iphicles and Laonome.
- 2She is the mother of the hero Heracles, whose father was the god Zeus.
- 3She was also known by the patronymic name Electryone, derived from her father Electryon.
In Greek mythology, Alcmene or Alcmena was the wife of Amphitryon, by whom she bore two children, Iphicles and Laonome.
Connections1
mortal mother
Alcmene was the mortal woman impregnated by Zeus to conceive Heracles, making her the source of his dual nature as both mortal and divine.
Alcmene, also known as Alcmena, was a significant figure in Greek mythology primarily recognized as the mother of the hero Heracles. She was the wife of Amphitryon and bore him two children, Iphicles and Laonome. Her lineage is traced back to her father, Electryon, which led to her being referred to by the patronymic name Electryone.
Alcmene watching Heracles strangle the snakes on a Roman fresco from House of the Vetti (Pompeii).Wikimedia CommonsWikimedia contributors: Alcmene Her legacy is inextricably linked to her union with the god Zeus, who fathered her most famous son. While she is remembered for her role in the life of the hero, her own family history and her marriage to Amphitryon provide the foundational context for the birth and upbringing of one of the most celebrated figures in ancient legend.