The coinage of Apollodotus is, together with that of Menander, one of the most abundant of the Indo-Greek kings. It is found mainly in the provinces of Punjab, Sindh and Gujarat, indicating the southern limit of the Indo-Greek expansion in India. This is confirmed by the Periplus, a 1st century CE document on trade in the Indian Ocean, which describes the remnants of Greek presence (shrines, barracks, wells, coinage) in the strategic port of Barygaza (Bharuch) in Gujarat. Strabo (XI) also describes the occupation of Patalene (Indus ...

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Apollodotus I, Apollodotus I - Ruler of the Indo-Greek kingdom, Apollodotus I - An abundant multi-cultural coinage

Read more here: » Apollodotus I: Encyclopedia II - Apollodotus I - An abundant multi-cultural coinage

Zoilos II has three main types of coins: "King in profile, with Athena and trident", "Apollo, with tripod and small elephant", "Elephant and tripod". Zoilos II with Athena. Apollo holding arrow, with small elephant on the left. Tripod on reverse. Elephant and tripod. ...

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Zoilos II, Zoilos II - Coin types of Zoilos II, Zoilos II - Monograms

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The Ta-Yuan remained a healthy and powerful civilization which had numerous contacts and exchanges with China from 130 BCE. Around 130 BCE, at the time of Zhang Qian’s embassy to Central Asia, the Ta-Yuan were described as inhabitants of a region corresponding to the Ferghana, to the west of the Chinese empire. “The capital of the kingdom of Ta-Yuan is the city of Kwe-shan (Khujand), distant from Ch'ang-an 12,550 li. The kingdom contains 60,000 families, comprising a population of 300,000, with 60,000 trained troops, a Viceroy, and a National Assistant Prince. The seat of the Governor ...

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Ta-Yuan, Ta-Yuan - Hellenistic rule 329–160 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Greco-Bactrian kingdom 250–160 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Saka rule 160 BCE onward, Ta-Yuan - Yuezhi by-pass 155 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Interaction with China 130 BCE onward, Ta-Yuan - Urbanized city-dwellers, Ta-Yuan - Caucasian traits, Ta-Yuan - Interactions with China, Ta-Yuan - An era of East-West trade and cultural exchange

Read more here: » Ta-Yuan: Encyclopedia II - Ta-Yuan - Interaction with China 130 BCE onward

The Kalash people have been ruled by the Mehtar of Chitral since the 1700's and have enjoyed a cordial relationship with the major ethnic group of Chitral, the Kho who are Sunni and Ismaili Muslims. The multi-ethnic and multi-religious State of Chitral ensured that the Kalash were able to live in peace and harmony and practice their culture and religion. Their cousins in the region of Kafiristan across the border (the Nuristani) were invaded and forced to convert to Islam by Amir Abdur-Rahman of Afghanistan and their land was renamed ...

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Kalasha, Kalasha - Customs, Kalasha - History

Read more here: » Kalasha: Encyclopedia II - Kalasha - History

Heliocles II seems to have been the successor of Strato I in Punjab - the two share several coinmarks. Still, the coins of Heliocles II are quite unlike those of the "Eastern" house to which Strato belonged; instead, he is more readily associated with the "Western" house of Eucratides I and Heliocles I. The portraits of the coins of the second Heliocles are very alike those of Antialcidas who seems to have been an important Western king. This seemningly paradox might be explained as follows: In the years before 100 BCE the eastern Ind ...

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Heliokles II, Heliokles II - A relative of the western king Antialcidas?, Heliokles II - Overstrikes, Heliokles II - Notes

Read more here: » Heliokles II: Encyclopedia II - Heliokles II - A relative of the western king Antialcidas?

The Silk Road essentially came into being from the 1st century BC/BCE, following the efforts of China to consolidate a road to the Western world, both through direct settlements in the area of the Tarim Basin and diplomatic relations with the countries of the Ta-Yuan, Parthians and Bactrians further west. Intense trade followed soon, confirmed by the Roman craze for Chinese silk (supplied by the Parthians) from the 1st century BC, to the point that the Senate issued, in vain, several edicts to prohibit the wearing of silk, on economic ...

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Ta-Yuan, Ta-Yuan - Hellenistic rule 329–160 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Greco-Bactrian kingdom 250–160 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Saka rule 160 BCE onward, Ta-Yuan - Yuezhi by-pass 155 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Interaction with China 130 BCE onward, Ta-Yuan - Urbanized city-dwellers, Ta-Yuan - Caucasian traits, Ta-Yuan - Interactions with China, Ta-Yuan - An era of East-West trade and cultural exchange

Read more here: » Ta-Yuan: Encyclopedia II - Ta-Yuan - An era of East-West trade and cultural exchange

A Chinese historical record from the Hou Hanshu seems to indicate that Hermaeus received the support of the Chinese against Indo-Scythian occupants, and may explain why his kingdom was suddenly so prosperous despite the general decline of the Indo-Greek during the period. The Chinese records would put Hermaeus's dates later, with his reign ending around 40 BCE. According to the Hou Hanshu, W'ou-Ti-Lao (Spalirises), king of Ki-pin (Kophen, upper Kabul valley), killed some Chinese envoys. After the death of the king, his son (Spaladagam ...

See also:

King Hermaeus, King Hermaeus - A prosperous reign, King Hermaeus - Hermaeus and Kalliope, King Hermaeus - Contacts with China, King Hermaeus - Biblical connection

Read more here: » King Hermaeus: Encyclopedia II - King Hermaeus - Contacts with China

The Silk Road essentially came into being from the 1st century BC/BCE, following the efforts of China to consolidate a road to the Western world, both through direct settlements in the area of the Tarim Basin and diplomatic relations with the countries of the Ta-Yuan, Parthians and Bactrians further west. Intense trade followed soon, confirmed by the Roman craze for Chinese silk (supplied by the Parthians) from the 1st century BC to the point that the Senate issued, in vain, several edicts to prohibit the wearing of silk, on economic ...

See also:

Ta-Yuan, Ta-Yuan - Hellenistic rule 329–160 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Greco-Bactrian kingdom 250–160 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Saka rule 160 BCE onward, Ta-Yuan - Yuezhi by-pass 155 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Interaction with China 130 BCE onward, Ta-Yuan - Urbanized city-dwellers, Ta-Yuan - Caucasian traits, Ta-Yuan - Interactions with China, Ta-Yuan - An era of East-West trade and cultural exchange

Read more here: » Ta-Yuan: Encyclopedia II - Ta-Yuan - An era of East-West trade and cultural exchange

There were over 30 Indo-Greek kings, often in competition on different territories. Many of them are only known through their coins. Not strictly an Indo-Greek king, Sophytes (305-294) was an independent Greek prince in the Punjab, following the conquests of Alexander the Great. Many of the dates, territories, and relationships between Indo-Greek kings are tentative and essentially based on numismatic analysis (find places, overstrikes, monograms, metallurgy, styles), a few Classical writings, and Indian writings and epi ...

See also:

Indo-Greek Kingdom, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Historical outline, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Occupation of Northern India, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Consolidation, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Indian culture, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Buddhism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The conversion of Menander, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist proselytism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist symbolism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Representation of the Buddha, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Incipient Greco-Buddhist art, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and other faiths, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Hinduism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Zoroastrianism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greeks in the art of Gandhara, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Scythian and Kushan invasions, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Aftermaths, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Art and religion, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Astronomy, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Military role, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Linguistic legacy, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Influence of Indo-Greek coinage, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Genetic contribution, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Greco-Roman exchanges with India, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Main Indo-Greek kings timeline and territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greek princelets Gandhara, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Indo-Greek Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Indo-Greek Kingdom - Main Indo-Greek kings timeline and territories

From the 1st century CE, the Greek communities of central Asia and northwestern India lived under the control of the Kushan branch of the Yuezhi, apart from a short-lived invasion of the Indo-Parthian Kingdom. The Kushans founded the Kushan Empire, which was to prosper for several centuries. In the south, the Greeks were under the rule of the Western Kshatrapas. It is unclear how much longer the Greeks managed to maintain a distinct presence in the Indian sub-continent. ...

See also:

Indo-Greek Kingdom, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Historical outline, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Occupation of Northern India, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Consolidation, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Indian culture, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Buddhism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The conversion of Menander, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist proselytism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist symbolism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Representation of the Buddha, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Incipient Greco-Buddhist art, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and other faiths, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Hinduism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Zoroastrianism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greeks in the art of Gandhara, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Scythian and Kushan invasions, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Aftermaths, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Art and religion, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Astronomy, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Military role, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Linguistic legacy, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Influence of Indo-Greek coinage, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Genetic contribution, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Greco-Roman exchanges with India, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Main Indo-Greek kings timeline and territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greek princelets Gandhara, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Indo-Greek Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Indo-Greek Kingdom - Aftermaths

Buddhism flourished under the Indo-Greek kings, and it has been suggested that their invasion of India was intended to show their support for the philhellenic Mauryan empire, and to protect the Buddhist faith from the religious persecutions of the Sungas. Demetrius, who organized the invasion, was named Dharmamita ("Friend of the Dharma") in the Indian text of the Yuga-Purana. The city of Sirkap founded by Demetrius combines Greek and ...

See also:

Indo-Greek Kingdom, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Historical outline, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Occupation of Northern India, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Consolidation, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Indian culture, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Buddhism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The conversion of Menander, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist proselytism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist symbolism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Representation of the Buddha, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Incipient Greco-Buddhist art, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and other faiths, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Hinduism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Zoroastrianism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greeks in the art of Gandhara, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Scythian and Kushan invasions, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Aftermaths, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Art and religion, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Astronomy, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Military role, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Linguistic legacy, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Influence of Indo-Greek coinage, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Genetic contribution, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Greco-Roman exchanges with India, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Main Indo-Greek kings timeline and territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greek princelets Gandhara, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Indo-Greek Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Indian culture

The region of Ferghana was conquered by Alexander the Great in 329 BCE and became his most advanced base in Central Asia. He founded the fortified city of Alexandria Eschate (Lit. “Alexandria the Furthest”) in the southwestern part of the Ferghana valley, on the southern bank of the river Syr Darya (ancient Jaxartes), at the location of the modern city of Khujand (also called Khozdent, formerly Leninabad), in the state of Tajikistan. Alexander built a 6 kilometer long brick wall around the city and, as for the other cities he founded, had a ...

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Ta-Yuan, Ta-Yuan - Hellenistic rule 329–160 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Greco-Bactrian kingdom 250–160 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Saka rule 160 BCE onward, Ta-Yuan - Yuezhi by-pass 155 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Interaction with China 130 BCE onward, Ta-Yuan - Urbanized city-dwellers, Ta-Yuan - Caucasian traits, Ta-Yuan - Interactions with China, Ta-Yuan - An era of East-West trade and cultural exchange

Read more here: » Ta-Yuan: Encyclopedia II - Ta-Yuan - Hellenistic rule 329–160 BCE

When the Chinese envoy Zhang Qian described Ta-Yuan around 128 BCE, he mentioned, besides the flourishing urban civilization, warriors "shooting arrows on horseback", a probable description of Saka nomad warriors. Ta-Yuan had probably by then become a caste of nomadic people ruling over a pre-existing agricultural population. Also in 106–101 BCE, during their conflict against China, the country of Ta-Yuan is said to have been an ally with the neighbouring tribes of the Kang-Kiu (Sogdians). The Chinese also record the name of the kin ...

See also:

Ta-Yuan, Ta-Yuan - Hellenistic rule 329–160 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Greco-Bactrian kingdom 250–160 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Saka rule 160 BCE onward, Ta-Yuan - Yuezhi by-pass 155 BCE, Ta-Yuan - Interaction with China 130 BCE onward, Ta-Yuan - Urbanized city-dwellers, Ta-Yuan - Caucasian traits, Ta-Yuan - Interactions with China, Ta-Yuan - An era of East-West trade and cultural exchange

Read more here: » Ta-Yuan: Encyclopedia II - Ta-Yuan - Saka rule 160 BCE onward

There are many records of the Sunga empire persecuting Buddhism, but on the contrary Buddhism flourished under the Indo-Greek kings, and it has been suggested that their invasion of India was not only intended to show their support for the philhellenic Mauryan empire, but also to protect the Buddhist faith from the religious persecutions of the Sungas. Demetrius I of Bactria - Coinage & connection with Buddhism. The coins of Demetrius are of four types. One bilingual type with Greek and Kharoshthi lege ...

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Demetrius I of Bactria, Demetrius I of Bactria - Invasion of India, Demetrius I of Bactria - Aftermaths, Demetrius I of Bactria - Demetrius and Buddhism, Demetrius I of Bactria - Coinage & connection with Buddhism, Demetrius I of Bactria - Indian sources, Demetrius I of Bactria - Greco-Buddhist art

Read more here: » Demetrius I of Bactria: Encyclopedia II - Demetrius I of Bactria - Demetrius and Buddhism

Hermaeus issued joint coins of himself with his queen Kalliope. The coin type on the reverse departs from the traditional Hermaeus format, in that it shows the king on a prancing horse, rather than Hermeaus' usual seated Zeus figure. The "king on a pracing horse" is characteristic of the contemporary Greek kings in the eastern Punjab such as Hippostratos, and it has been suggested that the coin represe ...

See also:

King Hermaeus, King Hermaeus - A prosperous reign, King Hermaeus - Hermaeus and Kalliope, King Hermaeus - Contacts with China, King Hermaeus - Biblical connection

Read more here: » King Hermaeus: Encyclopedia II - King Hermaeus - Hermaeus and Kalliope

The existence of numerous overstrikes helps locate the reign of Heliokles II in relation to other Indo-Greek kings. Heliokles overstruck coins of Agathokleia, Strato I, Antialcidas, and Hermaeus. Conversely, Amyntas overstruck coins of Heliokles II. These overstrikes would suggest that Heliokles II reigned around 95-85 BCE, and was a contemporary of Amyntas and Hermaios ^{See also:}

Heliokles II, Heliokles II - A relative of the western king Antialcidas?, Heliokles II - Overstrikes, Heliokles II - Notes

Read more here: » Heliokles II: Encyclopedia II - Heliokles II - Overstrikes

Although rather unlikely, some Biblical scholars have suggested that Hermaeus may have been one of the three Kings (or Magi) from the east who are related to have visited Jesus at the time of his birth: "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him" Matthew 2:1-8 . Another coin of Hermaeus and Calliope. Early posthumous coin (70-50 BCE) Posthumous coi ...

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King Hermaeus, King Hermaeus - A prosperous reign, King Hermaeus - Hermaeus and Kalliope, King Hermaeus - Contacts with China, King Hermaeus - Biblical connection

Read more here: » King Hermaeus: Encyclopedia II - King Hermaeus - Biblical connection

Hermaeus has one of the most abundant coinage of the Indo-Greek kings, suggesting a prosperous reign. His rule came to an end when the Yuezhi, coming from neighbouring Bactria overtook his Greek kingdom in the Paropamisadae around 70 BCE. Although the Indo-Scythians displaced the other Indo-Greek kings in the area of Gandhara to the east, no archeological remains or coins have ever been found in the territories formerly ruled by Hermaeus. Following his reign, it is generally considered that Greek communities remained under the rule of the Yuezhi Hellenized nomads, continu ...

See also:

King Hermaeus, King Hermaeus - A prosperous reign, King Hermaeus - Hermaeus and Kalliope, King Hermaeus - Contacts with China, King Hermaeus - Biblical connection

Read more here: » King Hermaeus: Encyclopedia II - King Hermaeus - A prosperous reign

Demetrius started the invasion of northern India from 190 BCE, following the destruction of the Mauryan dynasty by the general Pusyamitra Sunga, who then founded the new Indian Sunga dynasty (185-78 BCE). The Mauryans had had diplomatic alliances with the Greeks, and they may have been considered as allies by the Greco-Bactrians. The Greek campaigns eventually went as far as the capital Pataliputra in eastern India (today Patna): "Those who came after Alexander went to the Ganges and Pataliputra" (Strabo, XV.698) The Indian records al ...

See also:

Demetrius I of Bactria, Demetrius I of Bactria - Invasion of India, Demetrius I of Bactria - Aftermaths, Demetrius I of Bactria - Demetrius and Buddhism, Demetrius I of Bactria - Coinage & connection with Buddhism, Demetrius I of Bactria - Indian sources, Demetrius I of Bactria - Greco-Buddhist art

Read more here: » Demetrius I of Bactria: Encyclopedia II - Demetrius I of Bactria - Invasion of India

Alexander the Great had conquered the Persian Empire within a short time-frame and died young, leaving an expansive empire of partly Hellenized culture without an adult heir. Therefore his generals (the Diadochi) thereupon jostled for supremacy over portions of his empire. Seleucus, one of his generals, established himself in Babylon in 312 BC, used as the foundation date of the Seleucid Empire. He ruled over not only Babylonia, but the entire enormous eastern part of Alexander's Empire. Following his and Lysimachus's victory over Ant ...

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Seleucid Empire, Seleucid Empire - The partition of Alexander's empire 323-281 BC, Seleucid Empire - An overextended domain, Seleucid Empire - Greco-Bactrian secession 250 BC, Seleucid Empire - Parthian secession 250 BC, Seleucid Empire - Eclipse and revival, Seleucid Empire - The power of Rome and renewed disintegration, Seleucid Empire - Civil war and further decay, Seleucid Empire - Collapse of the Seleucid Empire, Seleucid Empire - Seleucid rulers, Seleucid Empire - In modern media

Read more here: » Seleucid Empire: Encyclopedia II - Seleucid Empire - The partition of Alexander's empire 323-281 BC

Demetrius I died of unknown reasons, and the date 180 BCE, is merely a suggestion aimed to allow suitable regnal periods for subsequent kings, of which there were several. Even if some of them were co-regents, civil wars and temporary divisions of the empire are most likely. The kings Pantaleon, Antimachus, Agathocles and possibly Euthydemus II ruled after Demetrius I, and theories about their origin include all of them being relatives of Demetrius I, or only Antimachus. Eventually, the kin ...

See also:

Demetrius I of Bactria, Demetrius I of Bactria - Invasion of India, Demetrius I of Bactria - Aftermaths, Demetrius I of Bactria - Demetrius and Buddhism, Demetrius I of Bactria - Coinage & connection with Buddhism, Demetrius I of Bactria - Indian sources, Demetrius I of Bactria - Greco-Buddhist art

Read more here: » Demetrius I of Bactria: Encyclopedia II - Demetrius I of Bactria - Aftermaths

Alexander the Great had conquered the Persian Empire within a short time-frame and died young, leaving an expansive empire of partly Hellenized culture without adult heir. Therefore his generals (the Diadochi) thereupon jostled for supremacy over portions of his empire. Seleucus, one of his generals, established himself in Babylon in 312 BC, used as the foundation date of the Seleucid Empire. He ruled over not only Babylonia, but the entire enormous eastern part of Alexander's Empire. Following his and Lysimachus's victory over Antigo ...

See also:

Seleucid Empire, Seleucid Empire - The partition of Alexander's empire 323-281 BC, Seleucid Empire - An overextended domain, Seleucid Empire - Greco-Bactrian secession 250 BC, Seleucid Empire - Parthian secession 250 BC, Seleucid Empire - Eclipse and revival, Seleucid Empire - The power of Rome and renewed disintegration, Seleucid Empire - Civil war and further decay, Seleucid Empire - Collapse of the Seleucid Empire, Seleucid Empire - Seleucid rulers, Seleucid Empire - In modern media

Read more here: » Seleucid Empire: Encyclopedia II - Seleucid Empire - The partition of Alexander's empire 323-281 BC