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Tetradrachm: Head of Young Herakles (obverse); Zeus (reverse)
336–323 BC
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
On this coin, the head of a youthful Herakles, wearing his lion-skin, appears on the obverse, with his father Zeus, king of the gods, seated on the reverse. For Alexander III (the Great), coins like this one projected power. Thus, while their attributes (lion-skin, eagle, scepter) identify hero and god, the inscription ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (of Alexander) identifies the leader.
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Details
- Title: Tetradrachm: Head of Young Herakles (obverse); Zeus (reverse)
- Date Created: 336–323 BC
- Physical Dimensions: Diameter: 2.2 cm (7/8 in.)
- Type: Coins
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1941.294
- Medium: silver
- Inscriptions: Λ, ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ
- Fun Fact: Alexander the Great claimed descent from Herakles and Zeus, picturing them both on his coinage.
- Department: Greek and Roman Art
- Culture: Greek, Macedonian, minted at Amphipolis (Macedonia), reign of Alexander III [The Great]
- Credit Line: Gift of Dr. Jacob Hirsch
- Collection: GR - Greek
- Accession Number: 1941.294
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