Alcmene (steadfast strength) In Greek mythology, daughter of King Electryon of Argos and Anaxo; wife of Amphitryon; mother of Heracles by Zeus. When she died at a great age, Zeus sent Hermes to take her body from its coffin and bring Alcmene to the Elysian Fields. In this heaven Alcmene married Rhadamanthys. When Hermes stole the body of Alcmene, he substituted a large stone, which was placed in a sacred grove in Thebes and worshipped. Alcmene also had an altar in the temple of Heracles at Athens. Ovid’s Metamorphoses (book 9) tells her tale.
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow-Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante