--- title: Bronze Figurine of Infant Hercules Killing Serpents author: Nathalie Choubineh source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20075/bronze-figurine-of-infant-hercules-killing-serpent/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 2025-02-24 --- # Bronze Figurine of Infant Hercules Killing Serpents _Authored by [Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/)_ ## Image File [![Bronze Figurine of Infant Hercules Killing Serpents](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20075.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20075.jpg) ## Image Caption [Bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) figurine of infant [Hercules](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/) killing [serpents](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Serpents/), from [Herakleia Lynkestis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Herakleia_Lynkestis/), near modern Bitola, Macedonia. Archaeological Museum of Heraclea, Bitola. The [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) was founded by [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/) (r. 359-336 BC) following his defeat of the Illyrians, to secure [Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/macedon/)'s western border. Due to its location in fertile land and on a highway road that became the trans-Balkans Via Egnatia, [Herakleia](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Herakleia/) Lynkestis developed as a center of [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) and administration. Under the Romans, the city gained many architectural monuments such as the forum, [Roman baths](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Baths/), a [theatre](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/theatre/), and a magistrate hall, which are part of today’s archaeological site near Bitola. The Archaeological Museum of Heraclea, located on this site, houses various artifacts from across the history of Herakleia Lynkestis, starting from its Macedonian foundation up to the periods of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/) and [Early Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1205/early-christianity/). A notable object in the museum is the bronze figurine of infant [Herakles](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/) (Hercules) killing two serpents. Herakleia Lynkestis is named after this Dorian mythical hero, who was considered the founding father of the [Argead Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Argead_Dynasty/), rulers of Macedonia including [Philip II](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Philip_II/) and his son, [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/). #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Nathalie is a translator and independent researcher of dance in the ancient world with a focus on Ancient Greece and the Near East. She has published works in ancient dance, ethnomusicology, and literature. She loves learning and sharing knowledge. - [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/nathalie.choubineh/) - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-choubineh-035a8451/) ## External Links - [Archaeological Site of Heraklia Lynkestis](https://www.bhfieldschool.org/excursions/bitola-and-ancient-city-of-heraclea-lyncestis-macedonia#:~:text=Heraclea%20was%20an%20ancient%20Greek,where%20the%20city%20was%20built.) ## Cite This Work ### APA Choubineh, N. (2025, February 24). Bronze Figurine of Infant Hercules Killing Serpents. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Choubineh, Nathalie. "Bronze Figurine of Infant Hercules Killing Serpents." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 24, 2025. . ### MLA Choubineh, Nathalie. "Bronze Figurine of Infant Hercules Killing Serpents." *World History Encyclopedia*, 24 Feb 2025, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/ "User Page: Nathalie Choubineh"), published on 24 February 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.