View source for Alcmene

{{short description|Mother of Heracles}}
{{About|Alcmene in Greek mythology}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Greek
| image = Birth of Heracles by Jean Jacques Francois Le Barbier.jpg
| name = Alcmene
| caption = ''Birth of [[Heracles]]'' by [[Jean-Jacques-François Le Barbier]]
| member_of = the Mycenaean Royal House
| abode = Mycenae, later [[Thebes, Greece|Thebes]]
| children = [[Heracles]], [[Iphicles]] and [[Laonome]]
| consort = [[Amphitryon]], [[Rhadamanthus]]
| birth_place = [[Mycenae]]
| spouse = 
| deity_of = Princess of [[Mycenae]]
| other_names = Electryone
| parents = [[Electryon]] and [[Anaxo (daughter of Alcaeus)|Anaxo]]/ [[Lysidice (mythology)|Lysidice]]/ [[Eurydice of Mycenae|Eurydice]] or [[Amphiaraus]] and [[Eriphyle]]
}}
In [[Greek mythology]], '''Alcmene''' ({{IPAc-en|æ|l|k|ˈ|m|iː|n|iː}} {{respell|alk|MEE|nee}}; {{langx|grc-x-attic|Ἀλκμήνη|Alkmḗnē}}) or '''Alcmena''' ({{IPAc-en|æ|l|k|ˈ|m|iː|n|ə}} {{respell|alk|MEE|nə}}; {{langx|grc-x-doric|Ἀλκμάνα|Alkmána}}; {{langx|la|Alcumena}}; meaning "strong in wrath"<ref>[[Robert Graves]]. ''[[The Greek Myths]] (1960)''</ref>) was the wife of [[Amphitryon]], by whom she bore two children, [[Iphicles]] and [[Laonome]]. She is best known as the mother of [[Heracles]], whose father was the god [[Zeus]].<ref>''[[Orphic Argonautica]]'' [https://topostext.org/work/549#113 118-119]</ref> Alcmene was also referred to as '''Electryone''' ({{langx|grc|Ἠλεκτρυώνη|Elektryṓnē|label=none}}), a patronymic name as a daughter of [[Electryon]].<ref>[[Hesiod]], ''[[Shield of Heracles]]'' 16</ref>

== Mythology ==

===Background===
According to the ''[[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Bibliotheca]]'', Alcmene was born to [[Electryon]], the son of [[Perseus]] and [[Andromeda (mythology)|Andromeda]], and king of [[Tiryns]] and [[Mycenae]] or Medea in [[Argolis (ancient region)|Argolis]].<ref>[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus.+2.25.9&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmena 2.25.9]</ref> Her mother was [[Anaxo (daughter of Alcaeus)|Anaxo]], daughter of [[Alcaeus (mythology)|Alcaeus]] and [[Astydameia|Astydamia]].<ref name="Apollod. 2.4.5">[[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Apollodorus]], [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Apollod.+2.4.5&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmena 2.4.5]</ref> Other accounts say her mother was [[Lysidice (mythology)|Lysidice]], the daughter of [[Pelops]] and [[Hippodamia (mythology)|Hippodameia]],<ref name="Plut. Thes. 7.1">[[Plutarch]], ''[[Parallel Lives|Lives]]'' Theseus [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Plut.+Thes.+7.1 7.1]</ref> or [[Eurydice of Mycenae|Eurydice]], the daughter of Pelops.<ref>[[Diodorus Siculus]], [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Diodorus_Siculus/4B*.html#9.1 4.9.1]</ref> According to [[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], the poet [[Asius of Samos|Asius]] made Alcmene the daughter of [[Amphiaraus]] and [[Eriphyle]].<ref>Pausanias, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus.+5.17.8&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmena 5.17.8]</ref>

[[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.<ref name="Hes. Sh. 1">Hesiod, ''Shield of Heracles'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Hes.+Sh.+1 1 ff.]</ref>

===Exile to Thebes===
According to the ''[[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Bibliotheca]]'', Alcmene went with [[Amphitryon]] to [[Ancient Thebes (Boeotia)|Thebes]], where he was purified by [[Creon of Thebes|Creon]] for accidentally killing [[Electryon]]. Alcmene refused to marry Amphitryon until he had avenged the death of her brothers.<ref name="Apollod. 2.4.6">Apollodorus, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Apollod.+2.4.6&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmena 2.4.6]</ref> During Amphitryon's expedition against the [[Taphians]] and [[Teleboans]],<ref name="Apollod. 2.4.7">Apollodorus, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Apollod.+2.4.7&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022:book=:chapter=&highlight=Amphitryon 2.4.7]</ref> when [[Zeus]] desired to sleep with Alcmene, he made one night last longer extending it to three, by ordering [[Helios]], the [[Solar deity|sun god]], not to rise for three whole days.<ref>Apollodorus, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Apollod.+2.4.8&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmena 2.4.8]; [[Seneca the Younger|Seneca]], ''[[Hercules (Seneca)|Hercules Furens]]'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:2007.01.0003 24]; ''[[Argonautica Orphica]]'' [https://topostext.org/work/549#113 118-121]; [[Lucian]], ''[[Dialogues of the Gods]]'' [https://pt.calameo.com/read/000107044fc0f01286992 Hermes and Helios]</ref> He then visited Alcmene disguised as Amphitryon. Zeus persuaded Alcmene that he was her husband.<ref>Roman, L., & Roman, M. (2010). {{Google books|tOgWfjNIxoMC|Encyclopedia of Greek and Roman mythology.|page=54}}</ref> Thus Zeus slept with Alcmene, his great-granddaughter, thereby conceiving [[Heracles]], while recounting Amphitryon's victories against the Teleboans. When Amphitryon finally returned to Thebes, Alcmene told him that he had come the night before and slept with her; he learned from [[Tiresias]] what Zeus had done.<ref name="Apollod. 2.4.8">Apollodorus, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Apollod.+2.4.8&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmena 2.4.8]</ref>

===Birth of Heracles===

====Homer====
In [[Homer]]'s ''[[Iliad]]'', when Alcmene was about to give birth to Heracles, Zeus announced to all the gods that on that day a child by Zeus himself would be born and rule all those around him. [[Hera]], after requesting Zeus to swear an oath to that effect, descended from [[Mount Olympus|Olympus]] to [[Argos, Peloponnese|Argos]] and made the wife of [[Sthenelus (son of Andromeda and Perseus)|Sthenelus]] (son of Perseus) give birth to [[Eurystheus]] after only seven months, while at the same time preventing Alcmene from delivering Heracles. This resulted in the fulfillment of Zeus's oath in that it was Eurystheus rather than Heracles.<ref name="Hom. Il. 19.95">[[Homer]], ''[[Iliad]]'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Hom.+Il.+19.95&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0134:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmene 19.95 ff.]</ref>

====Ovid====
According to [[Ovid]]'s ''[[Metamorphoses]]'', while in labour, Alcmene was having great difficulty giving birth to such a large child. After seven days and nights of agony, Alcmene stretched out her arms and called upon [[Lucina (goddess)|Lucina]], the [[List of Roman birth and childhood deities|goddess of childbirth]] (the [[Roman mythology|Roman]] equivalent of [[Eileithyia]]). While Lucina did go to Alcmene, she had been previously instructed by [[Juno (mythology)|Juno]] (Hera) to prevent the delivery. With her hands clasped and legs crossed, Lucina muttered charms, thereby preventing Alcmene from giving birth. Alcmene writhed in pain, cursed the heavens, and came close to death. [[Galanthis]], a maid of Alcmene who was nearby, observed Lucina's behaviour and quickly deduced that it was Juno's doing. To put an end to her mistress's suffering, she announced that Alcmene had safely delivered her child, which surprised Lucina so much that she immediately jumped up and unclenched her hands. As soon as Lucina leapt up, Alcmene was released from her spell, and gave birth to Heracles. As punishment for deceiving Lucina, Galanthis was transformed into a [[weasel]]; she continued to live with Alcmene.<ref name="Ov. Met. 9.273">[[Ovid]], ''[[Metamorphoses]]'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Ov.+Met.+9.273&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0074:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmen 9.273 ff.]</ref>

====Pausanias====
In [[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias']] recounting, Hera sent witches (as they were called by the Thebans) to hinder Alcmene's delivery of Heracles. The witches were successful in preventing the birth until [[Galanthis|Historis]], daughter of Tiresias, thought of a trick to deceive the witches. Like Galanthis, Historis announced that Alcmene had delivered her child; having been deceived, the witches went away, allowing Alcmene to give birth.<ref name="Paus. 9.11.3">Pausanias, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus.+9.11.3&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmena 9.11.3]</ref>

====Plautus====
In contrast to the depictions of a difficult labor above, an alternative version is presented in ''[[Amphitryon (Plautus play)|Amphitryon]]'', a comedic play by [[Plautus]]. Here Alcmene calls upon Jupiter, who performs a miracle allowing her to give birth quickly and without pain. After a crash of thunder and light, the baby arrives without anyone's assistance.<ref>[[Plautus]], ''Amphitryon'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.02.0092 "The Subject"]</ref>

===Death===
After the death of Amphitryon, Alcmene married [[Rhadamanthus|Rhadamanthys]], son of Zeus, and lived with him in exile at [[Ocalea (town)|Ocaleae]] in [[Boeotia]].<ref name="Apollod. 2.4.11">Apollodorus, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Apollod.+2.4.11&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmena 2.4.11]</ref> It is said that after Heracles was [[apotheosis]]ed, [[Hyllus]], having pursued and killed [[Eurystheus]], cut off Eurystheus' head and gave it to Alcmene, who gouged out the eyes with weaving pins.<ref name="Apollod. 2.8.1">Apollodorus, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Apollod.+2.8.1&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmena 2.8.1]</ref> In ''[[Metamorphoses]]'', an aging Alcmene recounted the story of the birth of Heracles to [[Iole]].<ref name="Ov. Met. 9.273" />

There are two accounts of Alcmene's death. In the first, according to the Megarians, Alcmene was walking from Argos to Thebes when she died at [[Megara]]. The [[Heracleidae]] fell into disagreement about where to take Alcmene's body, with some wishing to take her corpse back to Argos, and others wishing to take it to Thebes to be buried with Amphitryon and Heracles' children by [[Megara (mythology)|Megara]]. However, the god in [[Delphi]] gave the Heracleidae an oracle that it was better to bury Alcmene in Megara.<ref name="Paus. 1.41.1">Pausanias, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus.+1.41.1&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmena 1.41.1]</ref> In the second account given by the Thebans, when Alcmene died, she was turned from human form to a stone.<ref name="Paus. 9.16.7">Pausanias, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus.+9.16.7&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmena 9.16.7]</ref>

Pausanias indicated that an altar to Alcmene had been built in the [[Cynosarges]] in Athens, alongside altars to Heracles, [[Hebe (mythology)|Hebe]], and [[Iolaus]].<ref name="Paus. 1.19.3">Pausanias, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus.+1.19.3&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160:book=:chapter=&highlight=Alcmena 1.19.3]</ref> Pausanias also said that Alcmene's tomb is located near the Olympieum at Megara.<ref name="Paus. 1.41.1" />

==Notes==
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==References==
*[[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Apollodorus]]. ''Apollodorus, The Library, with an English Translation by Sir James George Frazer, F.B.A., F.R.S. in 2 Volumes''. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921.
* [[Diodorus Siculus]], ''The Library of History'', Oldfather, C. H. (Translator) (1935). Library of History: Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, Massachusetts.: Harvard University Press.
*[[Hesiod]]. ''The Homeric Hymns and Homerica with an English Translation by Hugh G. Evelyn-White''. "Shield of Heracles". Cambridge, Massachusetts., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1914.
*[[Homer]]. ''The Iliad with an English Translation by A.T. Murray, Ph.D. in two volumes''. Cambridge, Massachusetts., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1924.
*[[Ovid]]. ''[[Metamorphoses]]''. [[Arthur Golding]]. London. W. Seres. 1567.
*[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]]. ''Pausanias Description of Greece with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones, Litt.D., and H.A. Ormerod, M.A., in 4 Volumes''. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1918.
*[[Plutarch]]. ''Plutarch's Lives with an English Translation by Bernadotte Perrin''. Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard University Press. London. William Heinemann Ltd. 1914.
*[[Plautus]]. ''The Comedies of Plautus''. [[Henry Thomas Riley]]. London. G. Bell and Sons. 1912.
* [[William Smith (lexicographer)|Smith, William]]; ''[[Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology]]'', London (1873). [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DA%3Aentry+group%3D14%3Aentry%3Dalcmene-bio-1 "Alcmene" ]

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{{Metamorphoses in Greek mythology}}
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[[Category:Mortal women of Zeus]]
[[Category:Princesses in Greek mythology]]
[[Category:Perseids (mythology)]]
[[Category:Mythology of Argos, Peloponnese]]
[[Category:Mythology of Heracles]]
[[Category:Metamorphoses characters]]
[[Category:Mythological rape victims]]
[[Category:Helios in mythology]]
[[Category:Deeds of Hera]]
[[Category:Metamorphoses into inanimate objects in Greek mythology]]
[[Category:Mythological Mycenaeans]]
[[Category:Mythological Tirynthians]]