Alcmene
Alcmene was the mortal woman whom Zeus seduced by disguising himself as her husband — she bore Heracles, the greatest hero of Greek mythology.
The Legend of Alcmene
Daughter of Electryon and wife of Amphitryon, Alcmene was famed for her beauty and fidelity. Zeus desired her and visited disguised as Amphitryon while the real husband was at war. From Zeus she conceived Heracles; from Amphitryon, his twin Iphicles. Hera, jealous of yet another of Zeus's affairs, delayed the birth and sent serpents to the cradle, but the infant Heracles strangled them. Alcmene's story links Thebes, Mycenae, and the divine politics of Olympus, making her the mortal axis of the greatest hero cycle.
Parents
Electryon and Anaxo
Children
Heracles (by Zeus), Iphicles (by Amphitryon)
Symbols
Fun Fact
Zeus had to triple the length of the night to spend enough time with Alcmene — the longest night in Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Semele
🗡 heroMortal mother of Dionysus
Semele was a Theban princess who became the mortal mother of Dionysus — destroyed when she insisted on seeing Zeus in his true divine form.
Amphitryon
🗡 heroThe mortal husband impersonated by Zeus
The Theban general whose identity Zeus stole to sleep with Alcmene — producing the hero Heracles from divine deception.
Heracles
🗡 heroGreatest of all Greek heroes
The son of Zeus and Alcmene who performed twelve impossible labours and was the only hero to achieve full godhood after death.
Amphitryon
🗡 heroidentity, deception
The husband of Alcmene whom Zeus impersonated to conceive Heracles, creating mythology's most famous case of divine identity theft.
Alcimede
🗡 heroMotherhood, nobility
Noble Thessalian woman and mother of Jason, leader of the Argonauts
Arsinoe
🗡 heroNursing, protection
Nurse or foster-mother of Orestes who saved the prince from Clytemnestra's murderous designs
Aethra
🗡 heroMotherhood, Captivity, Loyalty
Princess of Troezen, mother of Theseus, who became a captive slave in Troy.
Anaxibia
🗡 heroMarriage, royalty
Mycenaean princess who married Strophius of Phocis and raised the young Orestes in secret
Anchises
🗡 heroLove, royalty, Troy
Trojan prince beloved by Aphrodite and father of Aeneas, the legendary founder of Rome
Periboia
🗡 heroNobility, Adoption, Courage
Athenian noblewoman who joined the tribute sent to Minos and was rescued by Theseus, later marrying Ajax's father Telamon.
Aristodeme
🗡 heroMotherhood, divine favour
Mother of Asclepius in certain traditions, a mortal woman of Messenia loved by Apollo
Heracles
🗡 heroGreatest of the Greek heroes, demigod of strength
The greatest hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. Famous for his extraordinary strength and his Twelve Labors.