Alcmene
/ælˈkmiːni/noun
In Greek mythology, the wife of Amphitryon and mother of Heracles by Zeus.
Did you know?According to myth, Zeus prolonged the night of Alcmene’s conception for three times its normal length, creating Heracles through divine disguise and deception.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂elk-
“To ward off, defend, or possess strength; a proposed root behind the Greek element alk-.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀλκή (alkḗ)
“Strength, might, or defensive power.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μήνη (mḗnē)
“Moon; a poetic or mythological form related to the lunar cycle.”
Classical Greek
Greek
Ἀλκμήνη (Alkmḗnē)
“The mythological personal name Alcmene, traditionally understood as combining strength with the moon.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
Alcumena / Alcmena
“The Latinized form of the Greek mythological name.”
Modern English
English
Alcmene
“The established English form of the name of Heracles’ mortal mother.”