A piece of Hellenic history often forgotten is the vast Indo-Greek Kingdom. I recently started to read about it and obtained my first coin some time ago. The history of the occupation of India by the Greeks started under Alexander the Great in 325 BC, but he never went much further across the Indus. This territory was quickly lost after the death of Alexander during the Seleukid–Mauryan war in 303 BC. The Greco-Baktrian king Demetrios I was the second to attempt it and invaded the Hindu Kush, which initiated the so called 'Yavana era' in India, with Yavana meaning Greek, so the 'Greek era'. Later on, by other Baktrian kings, other parts of India came under Hellenic rule: Gandhara and Western Punjab. The whole empire reached its heights under the great king Eukratides, but after his death the Baktrian kingdom was being subjected by the Asian nomadic tribe Yuezhi. The Indo-Greek kingdom lived on however, under the famous king Menander I in 165 BC, who expanded the territory further into the Eastern Punjab and the Mathura. What is interesting actually is that Menander became a devoted Buddhist monk and that the Indo-Greek kingdom kind of fused the Hellenic and Indian culture together which let for example to the Greco-Buddhist art. The Greco-Buddhist art shaped one of the earliest human forms of the Buddha, which in time let to further spread of Buddhism. Anyhow, after Menander's death, the Indo-Greek empire fractured with every 10 years or so two to three new rulers all ruling different parts of India. In 130 BC one of those rulers was Antialkidas. He ruled from his capital Taxila in the territory of Arachosia. Indo-Greek Kingdom. Antialkidas Nikephoros. AR Drachm. Kapisa (?) mint. Circa 130-120 BC. Obverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΑΛΚΙΔΟΥ. Diademed and draped bust right, wearing kausia. Reverse: Maharajasa Jayadharasa Amtialkidasa (in Karoshti). Zeus Nikephoros enthroned slightly left; to left, forepart of elephant left, holding wreath in trunk; monogram below throne. Reference: Mitchiner II, S. 150, Typ 279c (Pushkalavati); Bopearachchi, Serie 11 (A) (MIr Zakah); HGC 257 (Kapisa?). 2.43g Ex Slg. Graeculus and ex Auktion Peus Nachf. 410, 2013, 214. What is especially interesting about the coinage of Antialkidas is the reverse. It features the usual Hellenic combination of Zeus with the goddess Nike: Zeus Nikephoros. However, a small forepart of an elephant is added to the left. It is plausible that the baby elephant symbolizes Buddha, who took the shape of a small elephant to enter the womb of his mother Queen Maya. Another example of the Greco-Buddhist art that I mentioned previously. Please share your coins from the Indo-Greek kingdom!
Great write up as always @Pavlos . I love the new addition as well. Fun reverse with the Buddha tie in! One of the most frustrating things I found while trying to learn more about this period is how uncertain everything is. It’s not even certain who is related to whom and when they were king and over how large a territory. The mystery is still fascinating. Hopefully we learn more as the area is further studied. Here are a few relevant examples. Apollodotos: Apollo and Tripod Indo-Greek Kingdoms Apollodotus I AE Hemiobol, mint in northwest India, struck ca. 175-164 BC Dim.: 22x22 mm Wt.: 9.27 g Obv.: BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΠOΛΛOΔOTOY ΣΩTHPOΣ; Apollo standing facing holding arrow in right hand and bow in left. Rev.: Karoshthi legend; tripod and monogram surrounded by square of dots. Ref.: BMC 17, SG 7594 Indo-Greek Kingdoms Menander I AR Drachm, Sagala(?) mint, struck ca. 165-130 BC Dia.: 20 mm Wt.: 2.46 g Obv.: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ MENANΔPOY; helmeted head of king right. Rev.: Karoshthi legend, "Maharajasa tratarasa Menamdrasa"; Athena Alkidemos standing left, holding aegis on outstretched left arm, hurling thunderbolt with right hand, monogram at right. Ref.: Bop 16C
I've posted this coin previously, but it's such a lovely little coin that I don't mind showing it off again: an obol of Eukratides I:
Menander I, Indo-Greek Kingdom AR drachm Obv: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ MENANΔPOY, helmeted, draped bust right Rev: "Maharajasa tratarasa / menamdrasa" in Kharoshthi, Athena Alkidemos standing left seen from behind, holding shield on left arm, hurling thunderbolt in right hand, PA monogram to right Mint: (Unknown mint in Bactria) Date: 160-145 BC Ref: BMC 8
Thanks for that great write-up @Pavlos it was an informative and enjoyable read. Your drachm of Antialkidas is a really nice coin, the forepart of the elephant is a great feature. I only have one Indo-Greek coin, which is of Menander. I have posted numerous times.
Very entertaining writeup and lively coin (I really need to get some indo/greco silver). Here is his Baktrian contemporary: Lysias BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Circa 130-125 BC. Æ (20x20mm, 8.82 g, 12h). Indian standard. Head of Herakles right, lion’s skin tied around neck, club over shoulder / Elephant advancing right; monograms in exergue. Bopearachchi 8A; SNG ANS 1040-7. VF, dark green patina. Ex: Timeline Auction And the aforementioned man with the plan Eukratides: Eukratides (171-145 BC), Bronze Unit, BN series 19, 8.99g. Obv: Helmeted bust of king, Greek legend BASILEOS MEGALOU EUKRATIDOU. Rev: Dioskuroides on horseback; Kharoshthi legend above and below Maharajasa Ewukratidasa. Ex: Timeline Auc
Hi All, https://www.cointalk.com/threads/saturday-night-free-for-all.350933/page-6#post-4025197 - Broucheion
@Pavlos - interesting theory about the Buddhist connection A different coin of Antialkidas Indo-Greek, Antialcides (c.115-95 BC), Æ Unit, 6.89g, diademed bust of Zeus right, rev. pilei of the Dioscuri with palms between (SNG. ANS.1107; Bop.Ser.14; M.281) HGC 12 260 one of Philoxenos who may have been his successor Indo-Greek Kingdom, Philoxenos Aniketos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 125-110 BC. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANIKHTOY ΦΙΛOΞENOY, diademed, helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust right / 'Maharajasa apadihatasa Philasinasa', Philoxenos, in military attire, on horse rearing right; monogram to lower right. Bopearachchi 5C; SNG ANS 1183-6; HGC 12 268. an interesting double portrait Indogreek, Hermaios and Kalliope. Ca. 90-70 BC. AR drachm, Conjoined busts R. of Hermaios and Kalliope Hermaios on horseback prancing R. 2.36 g. Bop. series 2b. HGC 12 288 and another of Archebios from the same period, rather crudely depicted Indo-Greek, Archebios Dikaios Nikephoros AR Tetradrachm. Circa 75-65 BC. Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust to right, wearing helmet adorned with bull’s horn and ear Zeus standing facing, brandishing thunderbolt in raised right hand and cradling sceptre in left arm; monogram to right.
Baktria, Indo-Greeks, Antialkidas. Square AE19. Pushkalavati mint, 145-135 BC. BASILEWS NIKHFOROU ANTIALKIDOU, draped bust of Zeus right, thunderbolt on shoulder / Karosthi legend: Maharajasa jayadhrasa Antialkidasa, Palms and pilei of the Dioscuri; Pushkalavati monogram below.
Interesting and informative write-up, @Pavlos! Cool coin, too! I like the little elephant on the reverse. It's cute. I have only one such coin, the type that @eparch has illustrated above. Mines not nearly as well-preserved. Hermaios and Calliope, 90-70 BC. Bactrian AR drachm, 16.2 mm, 1.80 gm. Obv: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΛΛΙΟΠΗΣ, jugate busts, right. Rev: Kharoshthi legend: maharajasa tratarasa heramayasa / kaliyapaya, king on rearing horse, right; monogram below. Refs: BMC India p. 66, 1-2; Sear 7739; Forrer 53; SNG ANS 1319-25; MIG (Mitchiner) 408b; Bopearachchi 2B.
Kushan Dynasty KUSHAN DYNASTY Vima Kadphises, 95-127 AD. AE Tetradrachm, 28mm, 16.5g, 2h. Obv. BACIΛEΥC BACIΛEωN OOHMO MEΓAC OOHM KAΔΦICHC; Kadphises, standing facing, head left, sacrificing over altar to left and holding hand on hilt; to left, filleted trident behind, tamgha and club to right. Rev: Shiva with three heads standing facing, holding trident in raised right hand and resting lowered left hand on bull Nandi standing to right, behind; tamgha above to left.with kharoshthi legend maharaja rajadhiraja sarvaloga isvarasa mahesvarasa. Mitchner 3040
Nice examples! A nice drachm and I really like that clear and well struck bronze coin. I enjoy the look of these squared coins, they are different and I am still on the hunt for one. I bought one from ebay some time ago and found out it was cast (oops!), luckily I got paypal. Regarding the uncertainty, you are completely right, much we still do not know and I am sure that there are a couple of more late Indo-Greek rulers we don't know of. I believe a big part of the Indo-Greek kings are only known from coins and only some also from literature or inscriptions. What is also not helping is the attributions from R. C. Senior and Boppearachchi, the two do not seem to agree that much with eachother since the dates of the reign of different kings can be attributed differently in terms of 10 to 25 years between them! Nice example Parthicus! A very sharp and lovely obol. Nice example of the great indo-Greek king Menander! Nice examples @Andres2! Thank you @TheRed, that is a lovely and tough portrait coin of Menander. I suppose inspired from Eukradites? Another coin on my wishlist Thank you @Ryro! Such nice squared coins, thank you for sharing. I really need to get some Indo-Greek bronze. A great selection of Indo-Greek coins! All stunning examples. The Philoxenos tetradrachm is an absolute master piece and the double portrait is nice. Thank you for sharing. Cool example from the same king! Thank you @Roman Collector. Still a lovely example you have there. A double portrait is always a win-win! I can not see the photo, it is blank. But Kushan coins are another interesting piece of numismatic history.
Great Drachm, @Pavlos and nice writeup. Some of my Indo's Indo-Greek Baktria Menander I Soter BC 155-130 AR Tet 26mm 9.6g Diad - Athena Alkidemos tbolt Gorgon shield SNG ANS 764-767 INDO-GREEK KINGDOM Zoilos II Circa 50-40 BCE AR drachm 17mm 2.3g Athena Alkidemos l monograms Antony Actium SNG ANS 1654-1658 Baktria Indo Greco-Baktrian Kingdom Eukratides I Megas 170-145 BCE Dioscuri AE Quadruple Unit Baktria Apollodotos I 180-160 BCE Square AR Drachm 20mm 2.4g Elephant Zebu-Brahman SNG ANS 324-327
The Warring King who spread Buddhism and stopped warring: Time of Ashoka Grandson of Chandragupta India Maurya ser VIB AR Karshapana punchmark 270-175 BC ASHOKA
