Gold Ring with Alexander as Herakles in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, February 2011

Ring with head of Herakles, late 4th–3rd century b.c.; Hellenistic
Greek
Gold
63/64 x 47/64 in. (25 x 18.7 mm)
Funds from various donors, 1910 (10.132.1)

The face of this ring is engraved with the head of Alexander the Great in the guise of Herakles. The Macedonian ruler wears the skin of the Nemean lion drawn up over his head and tied in a knot around his neck. This representation of Alexander, which was also struck on coins during the ruler's lifetime, reinforced his claim of divine descent from Herakles.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/10.132.1