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Primary sourceArtifactc. 336-323 BCE

Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great

Royal mints of Alexander III · c. 336-323 BCE

A silver coin struck under Alexander's authority, showing Herakles and a seated Zeus, part of the standard currency of his empire.

This coin, struck under Alexander's own authority, shows how he used imagery of Herakles and Zeus to legitimize his rule.

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Reverse side of a silver coin showing a seated Zeus holding an eagle on his outstretched left hand and a scepter in his right, with the inscription ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ on the right and ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ below.
Silver tetradrachm of Alexander III, c. 336-323 BCE. British Museum / Staatliche Münzsammlung München.

About this source

What it is

This is a silver tetradrachm, a type of Greek coin, struck by the royal mints of Alexander III (Alexander the Great) across his empire. The coin carries the inscription ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ ("of Alexander") and ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ("of the king"). One side shows the head of Herakles wearing a lionskin, and the other shows Zeus seated on a throne holding an eagle and a scepter.

Why it matters

Alexander used this coinage to create a single currency across the vast territory he conquered. By linking his image to Herakles and Zeus, he connected his own rule to legendary heroism and divine authority. Coins like this one were carried and used across many lands, spreading his name and image far beyond Macedonia.

Look closer

  • Why might Alexander have chosen Herakles and Zeus for his coins instead of his own portrait?
  • What does a single currency across many conquered lands tell you about how Alexander ruled?
  • What does the Greek inscription tell us about who controlled the mint?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Alexander the Great on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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