Alkʿayos

This name derives from the Ancient Greek “alkḗ (ἀλκή) Alkaíos (Αλκαίος),” meaning “valiant, strength, power, bravery, prowess, force, defense, guard.” In Greek mythology, Alkaios was the name of several different people: 1) Alcaeus, a son of Perseus and Andromeda, was married to either Astydameia, the daughter of Pelops and Hippodamia, or Laonome, daughter of Guneus, or else Hipponome, daughter of Menoeceus, by whom he became the father of Amphitryon, Anaxo and Perimede. 2) Alcaeus, the original name of Heracles (according to Diodorus Siculus), which was given to him on account of his descent from Alcaeus, the son of Perseus mentioned above. 3) Alcaeus, a general of Rhadamanthus, according to Diodorus Siculus, who presented him with the island of Paros. Alcaeus was a Greek lyric poet from Lesbos Island who is credited with inventing the Alcaic verse. He was included in the canonical list of nine lyric poets by the scholars of Hellenistic Alexandria.