Euthydemid dynasty
Euthydemid Dynasty | |
---|---|
Elephant and the Caduceus, typical Euthydemid symbols. | |
Country | Bactria |
Founded | 230 BC |
Founder | Euthydemus I |
Final ruler | Euthydemus II (Bactria) Strato III (India) |
Titles | Basileus, King of Kings |
The Euthydemid dynasty was a Hellenistic dynasty founded by Euthydemus I in 230 BC which ruled the Greco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek kingdoms throughout the Hellenistic period from 230 BC to 10 AD, upon the death of its last ruler, Strato III in Gandhara.
History
It is possible that Euthydemus was a son of a certain Antimachus (born 295 BC) and a grandson of Sophytes, a satrap or ruler of Bactria in around 300 BC.
His son
Rulers
Precise members of this royal family cannot be fully reconstructed due to the lack of evidence and only a remaining vast coinage of following rulers. Demetrius's successor, Agathocles, left behind extensive coinage that helped reconstruct part of the dynasty.[3] Some of the more certain rulers are:
- Sophytes (330-300 BC) satrap of the Paropamisadae, welcomed Alexander the Great and the grandfather of Euthydemus I
- Euthydemus I (260-195 BC) eponymous founder of the dynasty
- Demetrius I (222-180 BC) most famous of the Euthydemids - invaded India
- Euthydemus II ( c. 200-185 BC) Son of Euthydemus I
- Pantaleon (190-180 BC) Son of Euthydemus I
- Demetrius II (fl. 175-140 BC)
- Antimachus I (c.171-160 BC) Son of Euthydemus I
- Antimachus II (c. 170-165 BC)
- Agathoclia, father of Strato I
- Agathoclia I(c. 130-125 BC) widow of Menander, ruled as regent for son, Strato I
- Strato I (c. 125-105 BC) son of Menander I and Agathoclia I
- Demetrius III (c. 105-100 BC)
- Amyntas I(c. 100-90 BC)
- Menander II (c. 105 BC)
- Demetrius IV (c. 80 BC)
- Strato II (c.30 BC)
- Strato III (c.10 AD) last ruler
- Demetrius V (c. 10 AD) ? potential claimant ruler
Following these rulers, it becomes increasingly hard to date or connect them to any family, as they may have been usurpers, but the Euthydemids remained the most constant and long reigning dynasty of Greek Bactria and India.
See also
References
- ^ "Two Remarkable Bactrian Coins" RC Senior, Oriental Numismatic Society Newsletter 159
- ^ Polybius. Histories.
Antiochus received the young prince; and judging from his appearance, conversation, and the dignity of his manners that he was worthy of royal power, he first promised to give him one of his own daughters, and secondly conceded the royal title to his father.
- ^ No undisputed coins of Demetrius I himself use this title, but it is employed on one of the pedigree coins issued by Agathocles, which bear on the reverse the classical profile of Demetrius crowned by the elephant scalp, with the legend DEMETRIOU ANIKETOU, and on the reverse Herakles crowning himself, with the legend "Of king Agathocles" (Boppearachchi, Pl 8). Coins of the supposed Demetrius III also use the title "Invincible", and therefore are attributed by some to the same Demetrius (Whitehead and al.)