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'''Heracles''', also transliterated '''Herakles''' (Greek: Ἡρακλῆς; c. 327 BC – 309 BC) was the elder son of [[Alexander the Great]] and [[Barsine]], the daughter of the Persian noble Artabazus. Although never formally recognized as king, he was considered a potential [[Argead Dynasty|Agread]] heir during the Wars of the [[Diadochi]].
==Early Life==
Heracles was born shortly after Alexander’s conquest of [[Persia]]. His mother [[Barsine]] had been captured early in the campaign and became Alexander’s companion for a time. Ancient writers such as [[Plutarch]] and [[Diodorus Siculus|Diodorus]] acknowledge Heracles as Alexander’s son, though his legitimacy was politically contested.
==Role in the Succession Crisis==
After Alexander’s death in 323 BC, Heracles was not initially put forward as a successor. The Macedonian army instead supported the infant Alexander IV, son of [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]] and [[Roxana]]. Heracles remained outside the main line of succession until [[Polyperchon]], a senior general, attempted to use him as a rival claimant against [[Cassander]] around 309 BC.
==Death==
Heracles was murdered in 309 BC. According to [[Diodorus Siculus|Diodorus]] (19.52) and [[Marcus Junianus Justinus Frontinus|Justin]] (15.2), [[Polyperchon]] killed Heracles after accepting a bribe from [[Cassander]], who sought to eliminate all remaining heirs of [[Alexander the Great]]. Heracles’ death, along with the earlier murder of [[Alexander IV of Macedon|Alexander IV]], marked the end of the [[Argead Dynasty]].
==Original Sources==
Ancient accounts of Heracles’ life and death appear in:
Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca Historica (Book 19)
Justin, Epitome of Pompeius Trogus (Book 15)
Plutarch, various references to Barsine and Alexander’s companions
See Also
[[Alexander the Great]]
[[Barsine]]
[[Alexander IV of Macedon]]
[[Cassander]]
[[Wars of the Diadochi]]
==Early Life==
Heracles was born shortly after Alexander’s conquest of [[Persia]]. His mother [[Barsine]] had been captured early in the campaign and became Alexander’s companion for a time. Ancient writers such as [[Plutarch]] and [[Diodorus Siculus|Diodorus]] acknowledge Heracles as Alexander’s son, though his legitimacy was politically contested.
==Role in the Succession Crisis==
After Alexander’s death in 323 BC, Heracles was not initially put forward as a successor. The Macedonian army instead supported the infant Alexander IV, son of [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]] and [[Roxana]]. Heracles remained outside the main line of succession until [[Polyperchon]], a senior general, attempted to use him as a rival claimant against [[Cassander]] around 309 BC.
==Death==
Heracles was murdered in 309 BC. According to [[Diodorus Siculus|Diodorus]] (19.52) and [[Marcus Junianus Justinus Frontinus|Justin]] (15.2), [[Polyperchon]] killed Heracles after accepting a bribe from [[Cassander]], who sought to eliminate all remaining heirs of [[Alexander the Great]]. Heracles’ death, along with the earlier murder of [[Alexander IV of Macedon|Alexander IV]], marked the end of the [[Argead Dynasty]].
==Original Sources==
Ancient accounts of Heracles’ life and death appear in:
Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca Historica (Book 19)
Justin, Epitome of Pompeius Trogus (Book 15)
Plutarch, various references to Barsine and Alexander’s companions
See Also
[[Alexander the Great]]
[[Barsine]]
[[Alexander IV of Macedon]]
[[Cassander]]
[[Wars of the Diadochi]]