Women, Weird and Wonderful: Alkmene, Mother of Herakles

Young bride Alkmene was only married for a few days, when husband Amphitryon left her to do some conquering overseas. When he returned, he boasted  about how he tricked the enemy-king into losing the golden hair that had previously made him invincible. Alkmene was suitably impressed and they shared a passionate night that seemed to last forever. Which was in fact, kind of the case. Alkmene had no idea that she had welcomed supreme god Zeus in her bed, in the disguise of her husband. And as he had kept sun god Helios inside, their one night together had turned into three. Of course, when Alkmene’s real husband came home, proudly sharing the same stories that she’d already heard, her lack of interest hurt his feelings. It took a while to figure out what had happened and a few months later, Alkmene gave birth to twins: Herakles and Iphikles. It was immediately clear which one had the divine blood, when a furious Hera sent a pair of snakes and baby Herakles gigglingly played with them as if they were cuddly toys.

Young Hercules wrestles the snakes, fresco Pompeï (House of the Vettii), Italy

Hercules chokes the snake, statue, Musei Capitolini, Rome, Italy

Did you know...

• The birthname of Herakles-Hercules is in fact Alkides (or Alcaeus). The name “Herakles” means “Glory of Hera”, maybe in an attempt to ease her wrath.

• Amphytrion succeeded in defeating his enemey, king Pterelaos, with the help of Pterelaos’ daughter, Comaetho, who plucked out her father’s golden hair out of love for Amphytrion. When Amphytrion subsequently took the kingdom, he put princess Comaetho to death.