In Greek mythology, where was Hercules born?

Hercules was born in Thebes, the ancient Greek city associated with his mother Alcmene.

According to the myth, Zeus visited Alcmene while disguised as her husband Amphitryon. Alcmene later gave birth to Hercules, the son of Zeus, and Iphicles, the son of Amphitryon. This unusual birth story explains why Hercules had both divine and mortal parentage.

Thebes is also important in the hero’s early life. Hercules spent part of his youth there and later married Megara, the daughter of King Creon in many versions. After a divinely caused madness led to a terrible family tragedy, Hercules sought purification and was ordered to serve Eurystheus, beginning the sequence of labors.

Tiryns is often confused with Thebes because it was Eurystheus’ stronghold and the place where Hercules commonly received or reported his tasks. Tiryns was therefore central to the labors, but it was not his birthplace.