It was not Hera directly though who first threatened the life of Heracles, for Alcmene was so worried about the anger of Hera, that it was Heracles’ own mother who abandoned the new-born Heracles in a Theban field, presuming that he would die from exposure.Īs with many other heroes though, Heracles did not die, for he was rescued, for his own half-sister, the goddess Athena, plucked him from that Theban field and took the baby with him to Mount Olympus.Īthena decided to have fun with her stepmother, Hera, and so Athena told Hera of her rescuing an “unidentified” baby and the motherly instincts of Hera, kicked in, and so Hera took the baby to nurse him, unaware of just who she was nursing. Alcmene of course was convinced that she had already welcomed Amphitryon the day before, but Alcmene and Amphitryon slept together, and Alcmene also became pregnant by Amphitryon.Īmphitryon would consult with the Oracle of Delphi about the confusing situation that he was being faced with, and it was the Pythia, the priestess of the Oracle who told Amphitryon of Zeus’ visit to Alcmene. The next day of course the real Amphitryon returned, but the returning hero was more than a bit perturbed by the only slightly warm welcome Alcmenegave him. Zeus transformed himself into an exact double of Amphitryon, and complete with knowledge of the war, and associated spoils, Zeus presented himself to Alcmene.Īlcmene was completely fooled by Zeus, and so Zeus and Alcmene slept together, and Alcmene became pregnant by the god. Now Alcmene was one of the beauties of the age, and it was a beauty that soon attracted the wondering eye of Zeus.Īmphitryon had been successful in his war but the day before Amphitryon returned to Thebes, Zeus sprang into action.

God zeus son hercules