Heracles Kynagidas (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: Κυναγίδας, "The Huntsman") was the patron god of hunting in the Macedonian Kingdom, to whom hunting trophies were dedicated. The epithet was also attributed to "Artemis Kynago" Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: Κυναγὼ, in its female form.
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.[1] The oldest inscription comes from Beroea (ca. 350-300 BC),[2] where a sanctuary to Heracles Kynagidas has been discovered, as well the longest text including names of hunters and priests of the god.[3] In a Roman-era inscription from Styberra, it is also spelled Kounagidas.[4] A dedicatory inscription by King Philip V in Pella has also been found.[5] Respectively, the Attic form for huntsman is kynêgetês,[6] Doric kynagetas and Mycenaean ku-na-ke-ta-i.[7]
Polybius, who was interested in horse-riding and hunting, gives the following passage:[8]
. Deger-Jalkotzy. Sigrid . Sigrid Deger-Jalkotzy . Lemos. Irene S.. Ancient Greece: From the Mycenaean Palaces to the Age of Homer. Edinburgh University Press. 2006. 0-7486-1889-9.