Apollodotus II
A significant Indo-Greek king who re-established Hellenistic influence in the Punjab, known for his extensive coinage and strategic reign.
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The Reign of Apollodotus II
Royal Lineage and Territory
Apollodotus II was an Indo-Greek king who governed in the western and eastern regions of Punjab. Numismatic evidence suggests his reign spanned approximately from 80 to 65 BC, with some scholars like R. C. Senior proposing a slightly earlier start date of 85 BC. He is recognized as a pivotal ruler who managed to restore a measure of the former Indo-Greek kingdom's prominence. Notably, he reclaimed Taxila in western Punjab, which had fallen under the control of nomadic Scythian rulers.
Dynastic Connections and Titles
Apollodotus II appears to have been a member of the dynasty associated with Menander I, as evidenced by his consistent use of Athena Alkidemos on his silver coinage, a motif favored by Menander's lineage. He also adopted Menander's epithet, Soter (Greek for "the Saviour"). Furthermore, some of his coins bear the title Philopator (Greek for "father-loving"), indicating that his father had also held royal authority prior to his reign. Scholars like R. C. Senior speculate that either Amyntas or Epander might have been his father.
Political Landscape and Alliances
Apollodotus II's reign likely commenced in Punjab during a period when the Scythian king Maues controlled Gandhara and its capital, Taxila. It is theorized that Apollodotus II gained control of Taxila following Maues' demise, though the exact nature of his successionโwhether through conquest, alliance, or familial tiesโremains unclear. The late Indo-Greek rulers often exhibited a blend of Greek and Indian cultural influences. R. C. Senior posits that Apollodotus II may have formed an alliance with another Scythian king, Azes I. The weakening Scythian grip on Gandhara after Maues' death saw the emergence of various minor kings of mixed or uncertain heritage, such as Artemidorus, Telephus, and possibly Menander II, none of whom posed a significant threat to Apollodotus II's established authority.
Imperial Ambitions
In a display of his consolidated power, Apollodotus II adopted the title Basileus Megas (Greek for "Great King") on some of his coinage. This title echoed the boastful claim of Maues, who styled himself "Great King of Kings," suggesting Apollodotus II's aspiration to a paramount position within the fragmented Hellenistic landscape of the region.
Numismatic Legacy: The Coins of Apollodotus II
Silver Coinage
Apollodotus II issued a substantial volume of silver coins. The obverse typically features a diademed portrait of the king, rendered with varying degrees of realism. The reverse commonly displays the figure of Athena Alkidemos, a characteristic motif of the Menandrian dynasty. A unique silver coin has also been noted, depicting a king seated on a horse reminiscent of Alexander the Great's Bucephalus, with his hand raised in a gesture of benediction.
Bronze Coinage
His bronze coinage predominantly features Apollo, the patron deity of the Hellenistic world, paired with a sacrificial tripod. This iconography follows a type previously introduced by his namesake, Apollodotus I, suggesting a continuity of tradition and royal patronage.
Artistic Quality and Regional Mints
The quality of Apollodotus II's coinage exhibits notable variation. Certain series showcase realistic portraits, characteristic of the earlier, more refined Hellenistic numismatic tradition, which are attributed to mints in the western parts of his kingdom. Conversely, other coins are less skillfully executed, often displaying crude or distorted portraits. These are interpreted as originating from newly established mints in eastern Punjab, likely produced by local Indian engravers with less familiarity with Greek artistic conventions.
Inscriptions and Administration
The coins bear inscriptions in both Greek and Kharoshthi scripts. The presence of Kharoshthi monograms, interpreted as the marks of officials bearing Indian names, suggests that Apollodotus II relied significantly on his Indian subjects for administration. This also indicates the expansion of minting operations into eastern Punjab, areas where Greek cultural presence was less pronounced.
Numismatic Succession: Overstrikes
Apollodotus II's Coinage
The practice of overstriking, where a new ruler issues coins over the coinage of a predecessor, provides valuable insights into the sequence of rulers and territorial control. Numismatic evidence indicates that Apollodotus II himself overstruck a bronze coin attributed to the Scythian king Maues. This action signifies his assertion of authority over territories previously held by Maues.
Coins Overstruck by Successors
Conversely, the coinage of Apollodotus II was subsequently overstruck by later rulers. Specifically, coins issued by Apollodotus II were found to have been overstruck by Zoilos II and later by Azes I. This pattern of overstriking helps establish a chronological framework for these rulers, placing Apollodotus II between the reigns of Maues and those of Zoilos II and Azes I.
Hellenistic Chronology: Indo-Greek Kings
The following table, adapted from scholarly consensus, illustrates the complex succession and territorial distribution of Greco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek rulers, contextualizing the reign of Apollodotus II within the broader Hellenistic period in the Indian subcontinent.
Greco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek Kings, Territories, and Chronology | |
---|---|
Based on O. Bopearachchi (1991) | |
Territories/ dates |
Greco-Bactrian & Indo-Greek Rulers |
326-325 BCE Campaigns of Alexander the Great in India |
Part of Alexander's Indian campaign; Nanda Empire in the East. |
312 BCE Foundation of Empires |
Seleucid Empire in the West; Maurya Empire in the East. |
305 BCE Seleucid-Mauryan War |
Seleucid Empire's influence; Maurya Empire's consolidation. |
280 BCE Foundation of Ai-Khanoum |
Establishment of a major Greco-Bactrian center. |
255โ239 BCE Greco-Bactrian Independence |
Diodotus I establishes independence from the Seleucid Empire. Ashoka rules the Maurya Empire. |
239โ223 BCE Diodotus II |
Diodotus II reigns in Greco-Bactria. |
230โ200 BCE Euthydemus I |
Euthydemus I rises to power, expanding Greco-Bactrian influence. |
200โ190 BCE Demetrius I's Indian Campaign |
Demetrius I of Bactria campaigns into India, establishing Indo-Greek rule. Sunga Empire in the East. |
190โ185 BCE Euthydemus II |
Euthydemus II reigns briefly. |
190โ180 BCE Agathocles & Pantaleon |
Agathocles and Pantaleon rule concurrently or sequentially. |
185โ170 BCE Antimachus I |
Antimachus I rules, potentially facing challenges. |
180โ160 BCE Apollodotus I |
Apollodotus I expands Indo-Greek territory, particularly in Punjab. |
175โ170 BCE Demetrius II |
Demetrius II of India rules in parts of the kingdom. |
160โ155 BCE Antimachus II |
Antimachus II reigns. |
170โ145 BCE Eucratides I |
Eucratides I conquers Bactria and parts of India, challenging existing dynasties. |
155โ130 BCE Post-Eucratides Era |
Period of fragmentation; Zoilus I, Agathokleia, Lysias, Strato I, Antialcidas, Heliokles II emerge. Yuezhi migration begins. |
130โ120 BCE Yuezhi Influence |
Yuezhi tribes exert pressure, leading to loss of Ai-Khanoum. |
120โ110 BCE Strato I & Lysias |
Strato I and Lysias rule, consolidating power in different regions. |
110โ100 BCE Antialcidas & Heliokles II |
Antialcidas and Heliokles II are active rulers. |
100 BCE Polyxenus, Demetrius III, Philoxenus |
A complex period with multiple claimants and rulers like Polyxenus, Demetrius III, and Philoxenus. |
100โ95 BCE Philoxenus |
Philoxenus consolidates influence in some areas. |
95โ90 BCE Diomedes, Amyntas, Epander |
Diomedes, Amyntas Nikator, and Epander rule in various territories. |
90 BCE Theophilus, Peukolaos, Thraso |
Theophilus, Peukolaos, and Thraso are active rulers. |
90โ85 BCE Nicias, Menander II, Artemidorus |
Nicias, Menander II, and Artemidorus emerge. |
90โ70 BCE Hermaeus & Archebius |
Hermaeus and Archebius rule in the western regions. |
~80โ65 BCE Apollodotus II |
Apollodotus II re-establishes Indo-Greek rule in Punjab, reconquers Taxila. |
~75โ70 BCE Hippostratus & Dionysius |
Hippostratus and Dionysius rule in eastern Punjab. Maues (Indo-Scythian) consolidates power in Gandhara. |
~65โ55 BCE Strato II & Zoilus II |
Strato II and Zoilus II rule in Punjab. Indo-Scythian influence grows. |
~55โ35 BCE Azes I (Indo-Scythian) |
Azes I establishes the Indo-Scythian kingdom, marking a shift in power. |
~25 BCE โ 10 CE Kushan Empire & Indo-Parthians |
Kujula Kadphises founds the Kushan Empire. Gondophares establishes the Indo-Parthian kingdom. |
Further Exploration
External Resources
For deeper academic study and visual resources related to Apollodotus II and the Indo-Greek period, consult the following external links:
- Numismatic analysis of Apollodotus II's coins. (opens in new tab)
- A collection of Apollodotus II's coinage. (opens in new tab)
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References
References
- O. Bopearachchi, "Monnaies grรยฉco-bactriennes et indo-grecques, Catalogue raisonnรยฉ", Bibliothรยจque Nationale, Paris, 1991, p.453
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