His strength and courage earned him a place among the gods.Īlcmene was notable as the mortal woman who was the mother of a god. The result of this deception was the birth of Hercules, the most famous hero in Greco-Roman mythology.
Zeus tricked Alcmene into sleeping with him by disguising himself as her husband. She was an ideal Greek woman who was devoted to her husband and family.Įven a woman as virtuous and wise as Alcmene, however, was no match for the desires of the gods. Like most princesses in legend, she was exceptionally beautiful. Her father held the cities of Tiryns and Mycenae, considered the economic and political centers of Greece in the Age of Heroes. Alcmene was a princess of the legendary ruling family of Argos.
