Heracles

Heracles by Aleksandar Planinski is a work dedicated to the mythological figure of Heracles and his labors, with particular reference to his presence in ancient Macedonia . The book opens with an overview of the hero’s origins and youth, linking the mythic narrative to the broader cultural heritage of the ancient world.

Particular attention is given to the Twelve Labors, presented through narrative text accompanied by rich visual material. Several chapters include images of ancient sculptures, vases, and coins, including coins of Macedonian kings such as Perdiccas II, Archelaus, Amyntas III, Perdiccas III, Philip II, and Alexander III, where the figure of Heracles appears as a symbol of royal ideology and dynastic legitimacy.

The volume functions as an educational text that connects mythology with archaeological and numismatic evidence, illustrating the role of Heracles in the state tradition of ancient Macedonia. It contributes to understanding how classical myth was integrated into the political and cultural self-representation of Macedonian rulers.