Amphitryon was exhausted. He had begun walking home to Thebes in daylight, but it was now night, had been for hours. Although his feet ached from walking, he didn't seem to be getting any closer.

​

    And so the long triple-night wore on. Zeus continued his task of siring the great Hero, Alcmena ecstatically embraced her "husband", and Amphitryon's feet grew more and more tired.

​

    At last our man arrived at Thebes. The house was at the top of a gentle slope, but Amphitryon was so weary, the low hill seemed like a mountain. However, he had vanquished an army today. He yearned to tell his beloved all about it. There were other things he wanted to share with her as well.

​

    There was no welcoming light at the window. "It's late," he thought. "Alcmena must be in bed waiting for me. She doesn't realise the lamp has gone out."

​

    Amphitryon was about to take his first step inside when a strange man appeared on the step behind him. 

​

    "Don't go in," he said. 

​

    Amphitryon was annoyed. He turned and looked at the fellow. 

​

    "Don't tell me where I can and cannot go. My wife is inside the house, and I will go to her."

​

    "Wait until I say you can go in!" ordered the man.

[Hermes in disguise, of course]

​

    "Look here," snapped Amphitryon, "I've led an army to victory today. I've walked a long, long way to get home. My feet are so tired they're numb, and you, fellow, tell me I can't enter my own house without your permission. I tell you, not even a lightning bolt could stop me from going inside to my wife."

​

    With that, Amphitryon pushed open the door and stepped across the threshold.

​

    BOOM!

​

    There was a deafening peal of thunder, and a flash of lightning that ripped the door off its hinges and threw Amphitryon unconscious to the ground.

​

    The next thing he knew, he was staring into the face of Hermes, now back in his usual form of a slender youth with winged heels. Amphitryon had a headache but was otherwise unharmed. Hermes looked at him sympathetically. "Soon you will learn what has been happening, " he said.

​

    Still dazed, Amphitryon scrambled to his feet. This time, Hermes ushered him through the door. Flinching in anticipation of more lightning, he stepped forward; and then the world seemed to make no sense. He came face-to-face with himself.

​

    We don't know what the King of Olympus said to the husband of Alcmena, but we do know that Alcmena was twice wedded in the triple night.

​

    Zeus now waited for Alcmena to give birth to his Hero. She was healthy during her pregnancy-glowingly so, it seemed to both Zeus and Amphitryon. Nine months passed, and Zeus grew jubilant, sure that the Hero would be born on the morrow. He chuckled quietly as he strolled around the mansions of the Gods.

​

    "You seem pleased with yourself, my lord," observed Hera. Zeus smiled, and let his guard down. 

​

    "I am indeed, Hera. Tomorrow will be born to the House of Perseus a child who will be the lord of all Argolis."

​

    "Are you sure of that?"

​

    "Yes , I am."

​

    " Do you swear by the waters of the River Styx? If so, let me hear the oath."

​

    Breaking such an oath would be unthinkable to any Olympian.

​

    "Very well," said Zeus. "I swear by the sacred waters of the River Styx that the first child born tomorrow of the House of Perseus will be the lord of all Argolis-Argos, Tiryns and Mycenae."

​

    Hera gave a knowing smile and walked away. She had preparations to make. First, she consulted her daughter, Eileithyia, Goddess responsible for childbirth. She gave Eileithyia one task. She was to sit outside Alcmena's birthing room with her legs crossed. As long as the Birth Goddess sat that way, Alcmena would not be able to deliver her baby. Next, Hera called on Ate, her grand daughter: the daughter of Eris, Goddess of Strife. Ate was an entertainer. She sang, danced and told amusing stories. She was instructed by Hera to go to her grandfather, Zeus, and entertain him. It was imperative to Hera's schemes that Zeus be unaware of what was happening down in Thebes.

​

    Zeus was charmed by Ate. He sat relaxing in enjoyment as his talented granddaughter sang and danced for him and told him stories. 

 

    Alcmena wasn't relaxed. She was undergoing a long and gruelling labour, with no indication that her baby was even beginning its journey out of the womb.

 

    One day passed into another, and then suddenly Hera swept majestically into the room where Ate was amusing Zeus. 

 

    "It is as you said, my lord," she announced in triumph. "There has been a baby boy born to the House of Perseus. You must honour your oath and make him lord of Argolis."

 

    "Of course," said Zeus. "I'll be glad to."

 

    Hera shouted triumphantly, "Acclaim the scion of the new generation of the House of Perseus! Eurystheus, son of Sthenelos and Nicippe!"