Archaios | Indo-Greek Baktrian Drachm Apollodotos II / Athena Alkidemos

Description: Archaios Numismatics Description: Baktrian Silver Drachm of Apollodotos II Soter Philopator Megas. Circa 80-65 BC. These interesting coins are bilingual in both Greek and the Kharoshthi script and show the long reach of the Greek kingdoms into the Eastern realms. And the co-existence of the two cultures as displayed in the iconography and writing. Obverse: Diademed and Draped Bust of king Apollodotus II. Greek legend ΑΠΟΛΛΟΔΟΤΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ "Of Apollodotus the Great, Saviour & Fatherloving King" Reverse: Athena Alkedimos advancing left, holding shield and thunderbolt; monogram to right. Legend in Kharoshthi script Tratarasa Maharajasa Apalatasa "Saviour King Appolodotus" Mint: Western Punjab Size: 17 mm Weight: 2.13 g Ref:Bopearachchi 1C Condition: aVF. Nearly Full Legends. Use the Picture as your judge as grading is subjective. Provenance: ex-CNG Notes: The Indo-Greek Kingdom or Graeco-Indian Kingdom was a Hellenistic kingdom covering most of the Punjab region. The kingdom was founded when the Graeco-Bactrian king Demetrius invaded the Indian subcontinent early in the 2nd century BC. The city of Sirkap founded by Demetrius combines Greek and Indian influences without signs of segregation between the two cultures. The most famous Indo-Greek ruler was Menander (Milinda).He had his capital at Sakala in the Punjab (present-day Sialkot). The Indo-Greeks were involved with local faiths, particularly with Buddhism, but also with Hinduism. Buddhism flourished under the Indo-Greek kings, and their rule, especially that of Menander, has been remembered as benevolent. Apollodotus II was an Indo-Greek king who ruled in the western and eastern parts of Punjab. Bopearachchi and R.C. Senior date his reign to 80-65 or 85–65 BC respectively. Apollodotos II was an important ruler who seems to have re-established the Indo-Greek kingdom to some extent of its former glory. Taxila in western Punjab was reconquered from nomad Scythian rule. Apollodotus II seems to have been a member of the dynasty of Menander I, since he used their typical deity Athena Alkidemos on most of his silver, and also Menander's title Soter (Greek: Σωτήρ, "the Saviour"), on all his coins. On some coins, he also calls himself Philopator ("the father-loving"), which proves that his father had been king before him. R C Senior guesses that Amyntas or Epander could have been his father. Apollodotus' reign likely began in the Punjab after the Scythian king Maues who ruled in Gandhara and its capital Taxila. What probably happened is that Apollodotus II took over Taxila after the death of Maues, though it is uncertain whether he defeated Maues or his descendants, or was allied or related to the dynasty of Maues. The late Indo-Greeks may have been rather mixed with both Indians and Scythians. R C Senior suggests that Apollodotus had struck an alliance with another Scythian king, Azes I. The Scythian hold on Gandhara loosened after the death of Maues, and petty kings of mixed or uncertain origin, like Artemidorus the son of Maues, Telephus and perhaps Menander II emerged in the area. These kings posed no threat to Apollodotus II, who on some of his coins assumed the title Basileus Megas (Greek: Βασιλεὺς Μέγας, "Great King"), in echo of Maues' boastful title "Great King of Kings". After the death of Apollodotus II, the Indo-Greek kingdom fragmented once more. Exerpts From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. We Thank You for stopping in and taking time to look at and bid on our listings. Good Luck Bidding ! We encourage you to click the "See other items" link above in the "Seller Information" area of the listing as well to check out our other items posted. We have a variety of great classical and other ancient numismatic items available. We will be regularly continuing to post for sale and auction a wide variety of Ancient Roman, Greek, and Eastern coins as well as Medieval, Byzantine, and some Modern coins as well. You can also follow us to be notified when new listings are posted. With over 20 years in the numismatics hobby we continue to revel in the excitement that comes from holding each new small piece of history in our hands. We enjoy the enduring sense of history both of the prior uses and users as well as the creativity and necessity that surround the time and place at which these coins were minted and used in circulation. Our aim is to cater not just to the high end collector but also to the hobbyist and the newly initiated and those on a limited budget. Everyone starts the hobby somewhere and where we can share our knowledge to help inform or jumpstart your collecting pleasure we will aim to do so. We want you to love every purchase you make with us and we always stand by the quality and authenticity of all the coins we are selling.

Price: 70 USD

Location: Seattle, Washington

End Time: 2024-08-11T20:28:49.000Z

Shipping Cost: 3 USD