| About 250 bc Diodotos, satrap of
the Seleukid province of
Bactria, revolted and established the independent Greek kingdom
of Bactria, which lay mostly in what is now Afghanistan. The Bactrian kings fought to maintain independence
from the Seleukids, later from the Parthians, and to expand their domain into India. Coins with
Indian themes and legends on the reverse were issued, including some unusual issues - square silver and bronze coins, and the first nickel coins. |
Demetrios
King of Bactria 205-171 bc |
After Eukratides was overthrown (135
bc) much of Bactria was overrun by Scythian nomads. What remained of Alexander's
conquests was now largely in India, and gradually became absorbed by Indian culture. The last Greek king, Hermaios, was defeated by the Kushan
ruler Kujula Kadphises in 1 bc ending more than 300 years of Greek rule in northwest
India. Coins of the Kushan dynasties are included on this page because of stylistic
similarities.
|
Dioscuri riding r. 