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Alcmene

Greek mythology

Alcmene

Mortal mother of Heracles, deceived by Zeus in her husband's shape

Mythology
Greek mythology
Children
Heracles
Group
Heroes
Appears in
Heracles

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Alcmene is the virtuous princess whom Zeus desires, coming to her disguised as her husband Amphitryon on a night he stretches to three. From that union she conceives Heracles, while her true husband fathers his mortal twin Iphicles. Hera's jealousy hounds her child from the cradle, yet the boy she bears becomes the greatest hero of Greece.

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Real episode from the app

Heracles

Chapter 1

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Frequently asked questions

Who is Alcmene?
Alcmene is the virtuous princess whom Zeus desires, coming to her disguised as her husband Amphitryon on a night he stretches to three. From that union she conceives Heracles, while her true husband fathers his mortal twin Iphicles.
Which mythology does Alcmene belong to?
Alcmene belongs to Greek mythology.
Which stories does Alcmene appear in?
Alcmene appears in Heracles, told as chaptered audio dramas in MythologyNow.
Cite this page
APAMythologyNow. (2026). Alcmene. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/alcmene
MLA"Alcmene." MythologyNow, 2026, https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/alcmene.
ChicagoMythologyNow. "Alcmene." Accessed 2026. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/alcmene.

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