Amphitryon
mythological figure · 6 works · 7 mentions · 35 anchored passages
old man · Amphitruo · Heracles' father · Theban General · father of Heracles · gatherer of the people · old friend · the aged father · the son of Alcaeus · warlike Amphitryon
in the texts
Heracles
The aged father of Heracles, exiled from Argos, sheltering with Megara and the children at the altar of Zeus in Thebes; he confronts Lycus, defends his son's honor, and later helps trap Lycus.
What mortal has not heard of the one who shared a wife with Zeus, Amphitryon of Argos, whom once Alcaeus, son of Perseus, begot, Amphitryon the father of Heracles?
and Creon became the father of this lady Megara, whom once all Cadmus’ race escorted with the glad music of lutes at her wedding, when the famous Heracles led her to my halls.
Come here, my children, cling to your father’s robe, hurry, never loose your hold, for here is one to help you, not at all behind our savior Zeus.
The Histories
Legendary figure who dedicated the first inscribed tripod at the temple of Ismenian Apollo from the spoils of the Teleboae.
This would date from about the time of Laius the son of Labdacus, grandson of Polydorus and great-grandson of Cadmus.
Amphitryon dedicated me from the spoils of Teleboae.
Shield of Heracles
Theban hero, husband of Alcmena, mortal father of Iphicles and stepfather (in mortal terms) to Heracles.
Or like her who left home and country and came to Thebes, following warlike Amphitryon,—even Alcmena, the daughter of Electryon, gatherer of the people.
and in the same night Amphitryon, gatherer of the people, the glorious hero, came to his house when he had ended his great task.
“O hero Iolaus, best beloved of all men, truly Amphitryon sinned deeply against the blessed gods who dwell on Olympus when he came to sweet-crowned Thebes and left Tiryns, the well-built citadel, because he slew Electryon for the sake of his wide-browed oxen.
Odyssey
Alkmene's husband; his son (Herakles) marries Megara.
"Then I saw Alkmene, the wife of Amphitryon, who also bore to Zeus indomitable Herakles;
Helen
Mortal husband of Alcmena whose form Zeus assumed to beget Heracles.
For in the likeness of Amphitryon he came to Alcmena, and as a shower of gold he united with Danae, and in the guise of a swan he took refuge in the bosom of Nemesis, and again in this form he espoused Leda;
Amphitruo
The Theban general, husband of Alcmena, born at Argos, whose identity is usurped by Jupiter. Returns from war to find his wife confused, charges her with infidelity, and is eventually reconciled after Jupiter reveals himself.
On this, Amphitryon charges her with infidelity, and goes away to the harbour to find a witness who may persuade Alcmena of the truth of his assertions.
in that house there (pointing), Amphitryon dwells, born at Argos, of an Argive sire;
Now will Amphitryon come hither this day from the army, his servant too, whose form I am bearing.