Amphitryon
heroAmphitryon was the mortal husband of Alcmene whose identity Zeus stole for one night — making Amphitryon the cuckolded but loving father of Heracles.
The Myth
Amphitryon was away at war when Zeus, disguised as him, visited Alcmene and conceived Heracles. When the real Amphitryon returned, the confusion of the "two Amphitryons" became one of Greek comedy's great themes. Plautus's Amphitruo (the first play to blend comedy and tragedy) was adapted by Molière, Dryden, and Giraudoux. Amphitryon raised Heracles as his own son and died fighting alongside him.
Parents
Alcaeus and Astydameia
Symbols
Fun Fact
An "amphitryon" in French means a generous host — from a line in Molière's play: "The true Amphitryon is the one who gives the dinner."
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Alcmene
heroAlcmene was the mortal woman whom Zeus seduced by disguising himself as her husband — she bore...
Hera
godQueen of the Olympian gods and goddess of marriage. Known for her jealous rages against Zeus's...
Heracles
heroThe greatest hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. Famous for his...
Iphicles
heroIphicles was the mortal twin brother of Heracles — born the same night to the same mother but...
Zeus
godSupreme ruler of the Olympian gods and lord of the sky. Zeus overthrew his father Kronos and...
Achilles
heroThe greatest warrior in the Greek army at Troy, nearly invulnerable thanks to being dipped in the...