Alcmēné
(
Ἀλκμήνη). The daughter of Electryon, king of Mycenae,
who promised to marry Amphitryon, provided he avenged the death of her brothers, who had been
slain by the sons of Pterelaüs. Amphitryon undertook the task; but, during his
absence, Zeus, in the disguise of Amphitryon, visited Alcmené, and, pretending to
be her husband, related in what way he had avenged the death of her brothers. Amphitryon
himself returned the next day. Alcmené became the mother of Heracles by Zeus, and
of Iphicles by Amphitryon.