Heracles Kynagidas
Heracles Kynagidas was the patron god of hunting in the Macedonian Kingdom, to whom hunting trophies were dedicated. The epithet was also attributed to "Artemis Kynago" Κυναγὼ, in its female form.Inscriptional attestations
Heracles Kynagidas is attested in fourteen inscriptions of various places in Macedonia from the 4th century BC to the 2nd century AD; Artemis Kynago, attested twice. The oldest inscription comes from Beroea, where a sanctuary to Heracles Kynagidas has been discovered, as well the longest text including names of hunters and priests of the god. In a Roman-era inscription from Styberra, it is also spelled Kounagidas. A dedicatory inscription by King Philip V in Pella has also been found. Respectively, the Attic form for huntsman is kynêgetês, Doric kynagetas and Mycenaean ku-na-ke-ta-i.Polybius
, who was interested in horse-riding and hunting, gives the following passage:Citations
