Alcmene (also referred to as Alcmena) was a mortal, princess of Mycenae and later princess of Tiryns, best known for being the mother of Heracles, the divine protector of mankind by Zeus, the King of the Gods in Greek Mythology.
Genealogy and Family[]
Alcmene was born into a Greek royal family, in Mycenae, to either King Electryon of Mycenae with Anaxo, Lysidice or Eurydice (who were all born Greek princesses) or Amphiaraus, (a son of Oicles and one of the Seven against Thebes) with Eriphyle, a princess of Argos (and daughter of King Talaus of Argos, one of the Argonauts); depending on which account of the myths.
She was married to King Amphitryon of Tiryns by whom she became the mother of Iphicles and Laomone and by Zeus, became the mother of Heracles.
After the death of Amphitryon, Alcmene married to the demi-god, Rhadamanthus.
Story[]
Zeus became very attracted to the mortal princess, Alcmene, and disguised himself as her husband, Amphitryon and during their intercourse impregnated her. Nine months later she would give birth to twin boys, Heracles, the son of Zeus and Iphicles, the son of Amphitryon. Alcmene had a particularly difficult labour with her twin sons, as the goddess Hera-knowing that Alcmene was carrying her husband, Zeus' illegitimate child, prevented her daughter, Eileithyia from doing her job. But Alcmene's midwife cleverly tricked Eileithyia into coming and allowing the child's birth and the midwife was subsequently transformed into a polecat by Hera, as punishment. Hera later also sent two snakes to a baby Heracles to poison him, which he killed easily by strangulation. Later on Alcmene, would also have a daughter with Amphitryon, Laonome.
Her son, Heracles would become the greatest hero of mankind and later rose to become a God on Mount Olympus.
After being left a widow upon the death of Amphitryon, she later married to Rhadamanthus, a demi-god son of Zeus and lived with him in exile.
It is said that Alcmene died whilst on a walk from Argos to Thebes and along the way fell to death at the town Megara, where she was buried.
Pausanias indicated that an altar to Alcmene had been built in the Cynosarges in Athens, alongside altars to Heracles, Hebe, and Iolaus. Pausanias also said that Alcmene's tomb is located near the Olympieum at Megara.
Appearance and Personality[]
Hesiod describes Alcmene as the tallest, most beautiful woman with wisdom surpassed by no person born of mortal parents. It is said that her face and dark eyes were as charming as Aphrodite's, and that she honoured her husband like no woman before her.