Herakles i tid och otid : En ikonografisk analys av mynt från Thasos

Sammanfattning

The purpose of this essay is to examine the local Heracles cult on the Greek island of Thasos, and how it changes over time. To achieve this a total of 185 coins from Classical (c. 510-323 BC) and Hellenistic period (c. 323-30 BC) will be analysed with the help of Panofsky’s iconographic method. The chosen method will be used to find the significant elements present which then will be interpreted with the assistance of Tonio Hölscher’s theory of visual power, and Kathleen M. Lynch’s theory of hypothetical intentionalism. The study shows that the motifs on the coins examined follow the main directions of geopolitical changes. The active and kneeling archer Heracles changes to a standing, passive Heracles resting on a club as the power shifts from the Macedonian kingdom to the Roman Empire. As such, the active and protective god evolves to a passive and liberating Heracles as Thasos’ political reality changes. The essay will then be concluded with a didactical reflection, since this is research done within a teacher education programme.