Herakles
son of Zeus and the woman, Alkmene: Herakles was the greatest of the Hellenic heroes, a mortal who was granted immortality and permitted to reside with the gods. Many states adopted Herakles as their protecting deity, such as Boiotian Thebai, and among Hellenic Dorian peoples he was often the progenitor of royal families, linking them to the gods and legitimizing their rule. The Makedon royal family traced their lineage to Herakles.
Zeus
son of Kronos [Dyaus pitar in Sanskrit, Jupitar in Latin]: Zeus is a stormgod of Indo-European origin who in the Hellenic pantheon is the king of the gods and the overall protector of humanity, of all life. Zeus legitimizes human kings so long as they endorse his justice.
Apollo
son of Zeus and Leto: From Apollo derive healing, purification, prophesy, poetry, music, and care for the young. Apparently, he assumed his role as a major divinity rather late, perhaps as late as the 700s or even early 600s. Although not the only Hellenic god who prophesies (Zeus does at Dodona), it is Apollo's oracle at Delphoi that is the principal prophetic source. The Amphiktyony of tribes established to assure the inviolability of that oracle becomes a major vehicle for interstate rivalries in the 300s BC.
Macedonia Personalities
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