Indo-Greek Kingdom

[4][5][6][7][8][9] The term "Indo-Greek Kingdom" loosely describes a number of various Hellenistic states, ruling from regional capitals like Taxila, Sagala, Pushkalavati, and Alexandria in the Caucasus (now Bagram).

[37] The intensity of these contacts is testified by the existence of a dedicated Mauryan state department for Greek (Yavana) and Persian foreigners,[38] or the remains of Hellenistic pottery that can be found throughout northern India.

Hindú Kúsh) and descended into India; renewed his friendship with Sophagasenus the king of the Indians; received more elephants, until he had a hundred and fifty altogether; and having once more provisioned his troops, set out again personally with his army: leaving Androsthenes of Cyzicus the duty of taking home the treasure which this king had agreed to hand over to him.Alexander had also established several colonies in neighbouring Bactria, such as Alexandria on the Oxus (modern Ai-Khanoum) and Alexandria of the Caucasus (medieval Kapisa, modern Bagram).

Diodotus, 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 the Macedonians.The new kingdom, highly urbanized and considered one of the richest of the Orient (opulentissimum illud mille urbium Bactrianum imperium "The extremely prosperous Bactrian empire of the thousand cities" Justin, XLI,1[59]), was to further grow in power and engage into territorial expansion to the east and the west: 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 name and emptying into the Oxus), and Darapsa, and several others.

Among these was Eucratidia, which was named after its ruler.When the ruler of neighbouring Parthia, the former satrap and self-proclaimed king Andragoras, was eliminated by Arsaces, the rise of the Parthian Empire cut off the Greco-Bactrians from direct contact with the Greek world.

He then successfully resisted a three-year siege in the fortified city of Bactra (modern Balkh), before Antiochus finally decided to recognize the new ruler, and to offer one of his daughters to Euthydemus's son Demetrius around 206 BC.

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 Ürümqi in Chinese Turkestan, leading to the first known contacts between China and the West around 220 BC.

Designs with rosette flowers, geometric lines, and glass inlays, suggestive of Hellenistic influences,[67] can be found on some early Han dynasty bronze mirrors.

Chandragupta's grandson Ashoka converted to the Buddhist faith and became a great proselytizer in the line of the traditional Pali canon of Theravada Buddhism, directing his efforts towards the Indian and the Hellenistic worlds from around 250 BC.

First in its ranks were the prophets of the Egyptians; and the Chaldeans among the Assyrians;[73] and the Druids among the Gauls; and the Sramanas among the Bactrians ("Σαρμαναίοι Βάκτρων"); and the philosophers of the Celts; and the Magi of the Persians, who foretold the Saviour's birth, and came into the land of Judea guided by a star.

Some Puranic sources however also describe the resurgence of Brahmanism following the Maurya dynasty, and the killing of millions of Buddhists, such as the Pratisarga Parva of the Bhavishya Purana:[79] "At this time [after the rule of Chandragupta, Bindusara and Ashoka] the best of the brahmanas, Kanyakubja, performed sacrifice on the top of a mountain named Arbuda.

[101] These first attempts at incorporating Indian culture were only partly preserved by later kings: they all continued to struck bilingual coins, sometimes in addition to Attic coinage, but Greek deities remained prevalent.

To the south, the Greeks may have occupied the areas of the Sindh and Gujarat, including the strategic harbour of Barygaza (Bharuch),[132] conquests also attested by coins dating from the Indo-Greek ruler Apollodotus I and by several ancient writers (Strabo 11; Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, Chap.

Immediately after the fall of Bactria, the bronze coins of Indo-Greek king Zoilos I (130–120 BC), successor of Menander in the western part of the Indian territories, combined the club of Herakles with a Scythian-type bowcase and short recurve bow inside a victory wreath, illustrating interaction with horse-mounted people originating from the steppes, possibly either the Scythians (future Indo-Scythians), or the Yuezhi (future Kushans) who had invaded Greco-Bactria.

Immediately after the fall of Bactria, the bronze coins of Indo-Greek king Zoilos I (130–120 BC), successor of Menander in the western part of the Indian territories, combined the club of Herakles with a Scythian-type bowcase and short recurve bow inside a victory wreath, illustrating interaction with horse-mounted people originating from the steppes, possibly either the Scythians (future Indo-Scythians), or the Yuezhi (future Kushans) who had invaded Greco-Bactria.

[197][198] The warrior has the flowing head band of a Greek king, a northern tunic with Hellenistic pleats, he hold a grape in his hand, and has a Buddhist triratana symbol on his sword.

One of the last important kings in the Paropamisadae (part of the Hindu Kush) was Hermaeus, who ruled until around 80 BC; soon after his death the Yuezhi or Sakas took over his areas from neighbouring Bactria.

When Hermaeus is depicted on his coins riding a horse, he is equipped with the recurve bow and bow-case of the steppes and RC Senior believes him to be of partly nomad origin.

The last known mention of an Indo-Greek ruler is suggested by an inscription on a signet ring of the 1st century AD in the name of a king Theodamas, from the Bajaur area of Gandhara, in modern Pakistan.

Rudradaman (...) who by force destroyed the Yaudheyas who were loath to submit, rendered proud as they were by having manifested their' title of' heroes among all Kshatriyas.They would again win independence until being conquered by Samudragupta (350-375 CE) of the Gupta Empire, and would disintegrate soon after.

This victory is known from the fact that Gautamiputra Satakarni restruck many of Nahapana's coins, and that he is claimed to have defeated a confederacy of Shakas (Western Kshatrapas), Pahlavas (Indo-Parthians), and Yavanas (Indo-Greeks), in the inscription of his mother Queen Gotami Balasiri at Cave No.

"In year 318, the day 27 of Prausthapada, gift of Buddhaghosa, the companion of Samghavarma" This would make it one of the earliest known representations of the Buddha, after the Bimaran casket (1st century AD), and at about the same time as the Buddhist coins of Kanishka.

The Majjhima Nikaya explains that in the lands of the Yavanas and Kambojas, in contrast with the numerous Indian castes, there were only two classes of people, Aryas and Dasas (masters and slaves).

In addition to the worship of the Classical pantheon of the Greek deities found on their coins (Zeus, Herakles, Athena, Apollo...), the Indo-Greeks were involved with local faiths, particularly with Buddhism, but also with Hinduism and Zoroastrianism.

[292] From the time of Agathokleia and Strato I, circa 100 BC, kings and divinities are regularly show on coins making blessing gestures,[293] which often seem similar to the Buddhist Vitarka mudra.

[312] An indirect testimony by the Chinese explorer Zhang Qian, who visited Bactria around 128 BC, suggests that intense trade with Southern China was going through northern India.

The first contacts started when the Ptolemies constructed the Red Sea ports of Myos Hormos and Berenike, with destination the Indus delta, the Kathiawar peninsula or Muziris.

Around 130 BC, the Central Asian recurve bow of the steppes with its gorytos box started to appear for the first time on the coins of Zoilos I, suggesting strong interactions (and apparently an alliance) with nomadic peoples, either the Yuezhi or the Scythians.

He made numerous sorties, and managed to vanquish 60,000 enemies with 300 soldiers, and thus liberated after four months, he put India under his ruleThe Indo-Greek armies would be conquered by Indo-Scythians, a nomadic tribe from Central Asia.

From the 1st century AD, the Greek communities of central Asia and the northwestern Indian subcontinent lived under the control of the Kushan branch of the Yuezhi, apart from a short-lived invasion of the Indo-Parthian Kingdom.

Pataliputra Palace capital , showing Greek and Persian influence, early Mauryan Empire period, 3rd century BC.
Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription ( Greek and Aramaic ) by king Ashoka , from Kandahar , Afghanistan . [ 33 ]
According to the Mahavamsa , the Great Stupa in Anuradhapura , Sri Lanka , was dedicated by a 30,000-strong " Yona " (Greek) delegation from " Alexandria " around 130 BC.
Greco-Bactrian statue of an old man or philosopher, Ai Khanoum , Bactria , 2nd century BC
Corinthian capital, found at Ai-Khanoum , 2nd century BC
Coin depicting the Greco-Bactrian king Euthydemus I, c. 230–200 BC. The reverse shows seated Heracles holding club. The Greek inscription reads: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ – "(of) King Euthydemus".
Possible statuette of a Greek soldier, wearing a version of the Greek Phrygian helmet , from a 3rd-century BC burial site north of the Tian Shan , Xinjiang Region Museum , Urumqi .
Greco-Bactria and the city of Ai-Khanoum were located at the very doorstep of Mauryan India.
The Khalsi rock edict of Ashoka, which mentions the Greek kings Antiochus , Ptolemy , Antigonus , Magas and Alexander by name, as recipients of his teachings.
Shunga horseman, Bharhut .
Apollodotus I (180–160 BC), the first king who ruled in the subcontinent only, and therefore the founder of the proper Indo-Greek kingdom. [ 81 ]
Silver coin depicting Demetrius I of Bactria (reigned c. 200–180 BC), wearing an elephant scalp, symbol of his conquests of areas in what is now Afghanistan and Pakistan . [ 88 ]
The coinage of Agathocles (circa 180 BC) incorporated the Brahmi script and several deities from India, which have been variously interpreted as Vishnu , Shiva , Vasudeva , Balarama or the Buddha . [ 97 ]
Kharoshthi legend on the reverse of a coin of Indo-Greek king Artemidoros Aniketos .
Menander I (155–130 BC) is one of the few Indo-Greek kings mentioned in both Graeco-Roman and Indian sources.
The Shinkot casket containing Buddhist relics was dedicated "in the reign of the Great King Menander". [ 111 ]
Indian-standard coinage of Menander I with wheel design . Obv ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ "Of Saviour King Menander" around wheel. Rev Palm of victory, Kharoshthi legend Māhārajasa trātadasa Menandrāsa , British Museum . [ 112 ]
King Hippostratos armed with bow and arrows, and riding a horse, circa 100 BC (coin detail).
The Yavanarajya inscription discovered in Mathura , mentions its carving on "The last day of year 116 of Yavana hegemony" ( Yavanarajya ), or 116th year if the Yavana era , suggesting the Greeks ruled over Mathura as late as 60 BC. [ 138 ] Mathura Museum .
The Mathura Herakles . A statue of Herakles strangling the Nemean lion from Mathura . [ 143 ] Today in the Kolkota Indian Museum .
Possible statue of a Yavana / Indo-Greek warrior with boots and chiton , from the Rani Gumpha or "Cave of the Queen" in the Udayagiri Caves on the east coast of India, where the Hathigumpha inscription was also found. 2nd or 1st century BC. [ 159 ]
Heliocles (145–130 BC) was the last Greek king in Bactria .
Coin of Antialcidas (105–95 BC). The obverse with Greek inscription: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΑΛΚΙΔΟΥ "Of Victorious King Antialcidas". The reverse with the Kharosthi inscription: Maharajasa Jayadharasa Antialikitasa, "Of Great Victorious King Antialcidas"
Coin of Philoxenus (100–95 BC). The obverse with the Greek inscription: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΞΕΝΟΥ, "Of the Invincible King Philoxenus". The reverse with the Kharosthi inscription: Maharajasa Apadihatasa Philasinasa, "Of Great Invincible King Philoxenus".
Coin of Zoilos I (130–120 BC) showing on the reverse the Heraklean club with the Scythian bow, inside a victory wreath.
The Heliodorus pillar , commissioned by Indo-Greek ambassador Heliodorus , is the first known inscription related to Vaishnavism in India. [ 183 ] Heliodurus was one of the earliest recorded Indo-Greek converts to Hinduism . [ 184 ]
Heliodorus travelled from Taxila to Vidisha as an ambassador of king Antialkidas , and erected the Heliodorus pillar .
The Bharhut Yavana , a possible Indian depiction of Menander , with the flowing head band of a Greek king, northern tunic with Hellenistic pleats , and Buddhist triratana symbol on his sword. Bharhut , 100 BC. Indian Museum , Calcutta . [ 192 ] [ 193 ] [ 194 ]
At Bharhut , the gateways were made by northwestern (probably Gandharan ) masons using Kharosthi marks [ 195 ] [ 196 ] 100-75 BC.
Foreigners on the Northern Gateway of Stupa I at Sanchi .
Hermaeus (90–70 BC) was the last Indo-Greek king in the Western territories ( Paropamisadae ).
Hermaeus posthumous issue struck by Indo-Scythians near Kabul , circa 80–75 BC.
Tetradrachm of Hippostratos , reigned circa 65–55 BC, was the last Indo-Greek king in Western Punjab .
Hippostratos was replaced by the Indo-Scythian king Azes I (r. c. 35–12 BC).
Approximate region of East Punjab and Strato II's capital Sagala .
The last known Indo-Greek kings Strato II and Strato III , here on a joint coin (25 BC-10 AD), were the last Indo-Greek king in eastern territories of Eastern Punjab .
Pillar of the Great Chaitya at Karla Caves , mentioning its donation by a Yavana . [ 232 ] Below: detail of the word "Ya-va-na-sa" in old Brahmi script : , circa AD 120.
The Buddhist symbols of the triratna and of the swastika (reversed) around the word "Ya-va-ṇa-sa" in Brahmi ( ). Shivneri Caves 1st century AD.
The " Yavana " inscription on the back wall of the veranda, Cave No.17, Nashik.
Statue with inscription mentioning "year 318", probably of the Yavana era , i.e. AD 143. [ 254 ]
Piedestal of the Hashtnagar Buddha statue, with Year 384 inscription, probably of the Yavana era, i.e. AD 209. [ 256 ]
Evolution of Zeus Nikephoros (" Zeus holding Nike ") on Indo-Greek coinage: from the Classical motif of Nike handing the wreath of victory to Zeus himself (left, coin of Heliocles I 145–130 BC), then to a baby elephant (middle, coin of Antialcidas 115–95 BC), and then to the Wheel of the Law , symbol of Buddhism (right, coin of Menander II 90–85 BC).
Indo-Corinthian capital representing a man wearing a Graeco-Roman -style coat with fibula , and making a blessing gesture. Butkara Stupa , National Museum of Oriental Art , Rome .
Indian-standard coinage of Menander I . Obv ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ "Of Saviour King Menander". Rev Palm of victory, Kharoshthi legend Māhārajasa trātadasa Menandrāsa , British Museum . [ 277 ]
Evolution of the Butkara stupa , a large part of which occurred during the Indo-Greek period, through the addition of Hellenistic architectural elements. [ 278 ]
Coin of Menander II (90–85 BC). "King Menander , follower of the Dharma " in Kharoshthi script, with Zeus holding Nike , who holds a victory wreath over an Eight-spoked wheel .
Greek Buddhist devotees, holding plantain leaves, in purely Hellenistic style, inside Corinthian columns , Buner relief , Victoria and Albert Museum .
Hellenistic culture in the Indian subcontinent: Greek clothes, amphoras , wine and music (Detail of Chakhil-i-Ghoundi stupa , Hadda , Gandhara , 1st century AD).
Intaglio gems engraved in the northwest of India (2nd century BCE-2nd century CE).
Seated Buddha , Gandhara, 2nd century (Ostasiatisches Museum, Berlin)
Stone palette depicting a mythological scene, 2nd–1st century BC.
Cupro-nickel coins of king Pantaleon point to a Chinese origin of the metal. [ 312 ]
Athena in the art of Gandhara , displayed at the Lahore Museum , Pakistan
King Strato I in combat uniform, wearing a linothorax with pleats , a chlamys cloak, and boots (krepides), while armed with a spear, shield and sword (held at waist). He is also making a blessing gesture with his right hand; circa 100 BCE.
The Indo-Scythian Taxila copper plate uses the Macedonian month of " Panemos " for calendrical purposes ( British Museum ). [ 323 ]
Hellenistic couple from Taxila ( Guimet Museum )
The story of the Trojan horse was depicted in the art of Gandhara . ( British Museum ).