AlkmeneAlcmene

The daughter of Elektryon (Electryon) and the mother of Herakles (Heracles) and Iphikles (Iphicles).

Alkmene’s father was accidentally killed in a dispute over some cattle by a young warrior named Amphitryon; in order to repay Alkmene for this cruel accident Amphitryon promised to avenge the murder of her brothers at the hands of the Teleboans.

Amphitryon was to consummate his marriage to Alkmene when he completed his promise but before he could return, Zeus came to Alkmene in the guise of Amphitryon and seduced her; from Zeus she conceived Herakles and from Amphitryon she conceived Iphikles.

• Iliad, book 14, lines 323-4; book 19, lines 98 and 119
• Odyssey, book 2, line 120; book 11, line 266
• Theogony, lines 526 and 943
• Shield of Herakles, lines 15, 89+ and 467
• Eoiae, fragment 99 ii, line 20
• Great Eoiae, fragment 2
• Hymn to Herakles the Lion-Hearted
• Histories, book 2, chapters 43 and 145