Literary Characters Names, Mythological Names, Greek Names, Greek Mythological Names

Alcmene is the Latinised form of the ancient Greek name Alkmene. In Greek mythology Alcmene was the mother of Herakles (Hercules) by Zeus, who had visited her during her husband's absence. She gave birth to Herakles after a week's labour, and bore his twin Iphicles (who was the biological son of her husband Amphitryon) a day later. The meaning of Alcmene's name is uncertain. Some suggest that it means 'strong in wrath', or relate it to the idea of strong willpower. The story of Alcmene's deception by Zeus is narrated in the French drama "Amphitryon 38" by Jean Giraudoux.