The Greco-Bactrians were a dynasty of Greek kings who controlled Bactria and Sogdiana, an area comprising today's northern Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia, the easternmost area of the Hellenistic world, from 250 to 125 BCE. Their expansion into northern India established the Indo-Greek Kingdom, which was to last until around 10 CE. Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE. The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom was founded by the Seleucid military governor of Bactria Diodotus around ...

Including:

• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China. To the north, Euthydemus also ruled Sogdiana and Ferghana, and there are indications that from Alexandria Eschate the Greco-Bactrians may have led expeditions as far as Kashgar and Urumqi in Chinese Turkestan, leading to the first known contacts between China and the West around 220 BCE. The Greek historian Strabo too writes that: "they extended their empire even as far as th ...

See also:

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China. To the north, Euthydemus also ruled Sogdiana and Ferghana, and there are indications that from Alexandria Eschate the Greco-Bactrians may have led expeditions as far as Kashgar and Urumqi in Chinese Turkestan, leading to the first known contacts between China and the West around 220 BCE. The Greek historian Strabo too writes that: "they extended their empire even as far as the Seres (Chinese) and the Phryni" (Strabo ...

See also:

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion

The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom was founded around 250 BCE when the Seleucid military governor of Bactria, Sogdiana and Margiana, named Diodotus (Theodotos), wrestled independence for his territory from the Seleucid Empire: Theodotus, the governor of the thousand cities of Bactria (Latin: "Theodotus, mille urbium Bactrianarum praefectus"), defected and proclaimed himself king; all the other people of the Orient followed his example and seceded from ...

See also:

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE

Euthydemus overthrew Diodotus II around 230 BCE and started his dynasty. Euthydemus's control extended to Sogdiana, reaching and going beyond the city of Alexandria Eschate founded by Alexander the Great in Ferghana. Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia. Euthydemus was attacked by the Seleucid ruler Antiochus III around 210 BCE. Although he commanded 10,000 horsemen, Euthydemus initially lost a battle on the Arius [4] and had to ret ...

See also:

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE

Back in Bactria, Eucratides, either a general of Demetrius or an ally of the Seleucids, managed to overthrow the Euthydemid dynasty and establish his own rule around 170 BCE, probably dethroning Antimachus I and Antimachus II. The Indian branch of the Euthydemids tried to strike back. An Indian king called Demetrius (very likely Demetrius II) is said to have returned to Bactria with 60,000 men to oust the usurper, but he apparently was defeated and killed in the encounter: "Eucratides led many wars with great courage, and, wh ...

See also:

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE. According to the Han Chronicles, following a crushing defeat in 162 BCE by the Xiongnu (Huns), the nomadic tribes of the Yueh-Chih fled from the Tarim Basin towards the west, crossed the neighbouring urban civilization of the "Ta-Yuan" (probably the Greek possessions in Ferghana), and re-settled north of the Oxus in modern-day Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, in the middle of Greco-Bactrian territory. The Ta-Yuan remained a healthy and powerful urban civilization which ...

See also:

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions

Euthydemus overthrew Diodotus II around 230 BCE and started his dynasty. Euthydemus's control extended to Sogdiana, reaching and going beyond the city of Alexandria Eschate founded by Alexander the Great in Ferghana. Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia. Euthydemus was attacked by the Seleucid ruler Antiochus III around 210 BCE. Although he commanded 10,000 horsemen, Euthydemus initially lost a battle on the Arius ^{See also:}

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE

The Greco-Bactrians were known for their high level of Hellenistic sophistication, and kept regular contact with both the Mediterranean and neighbouring India. They were on friendly terms with India and exchanged ambassadors. Their cities, such as Ai-Khanoum in northeastern Afghanistan (probably Alexandria on the Oxus) demonstrate a sophisticated Hellenistic urban culture. This site gives a snapshot of Greco-Bactrian culture around 145 BCE, as the city was burnt to the ground around that date during nomadic invasions and never re-sett ...

See also:

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria

Back in Bactria, Eucratides, either a general of Demetrius or an ally of the Seleucids, managed to overthrow the Euthydemid dynasty and establish his own rule around 170 BCE, probably dethroning Antimachus I and Antimachus II. The Indian branch of the Euthydemids tried to strike back. An Indian king called Demetrius (very likely Demetrius II) is said to have returned to Bactria with 60,000 men to oust the usurper (Justin XL ...

See also:

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides

The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom was founded by the Seleucid military governor of Bactria Diodotus around 250 BCE when he wrestled independence for his territory from the Seleucid Empire. "The Greeks who caused Bactria to revolt grew so powerful on account of the fertility of the country that they became masters, not only of Ariana, but also of India, as Apollodorus of Artemita says: and more tribes were subdued by them than by Alexander... Their cities were Bactra (also called Zariaspa, through which flows a river bearing the same ...

See also:

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus. Territories of Bactria, Sogdiana, Ferghana, Arachosia: Diodotos I (reigned c. 250-240 BCE) Coins Diodotus II (reigned c. 240-230 BCE) Son of Diodotus I Coins Many of the dates, territories, and relationships between Greco-Bactrian kings are tentative and essentially based on numismatic analysis and a few Classical sources. The following list of kings, dates and territories after the reign of Demetrius is derived f ...

See also:

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories