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Apollodotus II

A significant Indo-Greek king who re-established Hellenistic influence in the Punjab, known for his extensive coinage and strategic reign.

His Reign ๐Ÿ“œ His Coinage ๐Ÿช™

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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 successionโ€”whether through conquest, alliance, or familial tiesโ€”remains 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.
255โ€“239 BCE
Greco-Bactrian Independence
Diodotus I establishes independence from the Seleucid Empire. Ashoka rules the Maurya Empire.
239โ€“223 BCE
Diodotus II
Diodotus II reigns in Greco-Bactria.
230โ€“200 BCE
Euthydemus I
Euthydemus I rises to power, expanding Greco-Bactrian influence.
200โ€“190 BCE
Demetrius I's Indian Campaign
Demetrius I of Bactria campaigns into India, establishing Indo-Greek rule. Sunga Empire in the East.
190โ€“185 BCE
Euthydemus II
Euthydemus II reigns briefly.
190โ€“180 BCE
Agathocles & Pantaleon
Agathocles and Pantaleon rule concurrently or sequentially.
185โ€“170 BCE
Antimachus I
Antimachus I rules, potentially facing challenges.
180โ€“160 BCE
Apollodotus I
Apollodotus I expands Indo-Greek territory, particularly in Punjab.
175โ€“170 BCE
Demetrius II
Demetrius II of India rules in parts of the kingdom.
160โ€“155 BCE
Antimachus II
Antimachus II reigns.
170โ€“145 BCE
Eucratides I
Eucratides I conquers Bactria and parts of India, challenging existing dynasties.
155โ€“130 BCE
Post-Eucratides Era
Period of fragmentation; Zoilus I, Agathokleia, Lysias, Strato I, Antialcidas, Heliokles II emerge. Yuezhi migration begins.
130โ€“120 BCE
Yuezhi Influence
Yuezhi tribes exert pressure, leading to loss of Ai-Khanoum.
120โ€“110 BCE
Strato I & Lysias
Strato I and Lysias rule, consolidating power in different regions.
110โ€“100 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.
100โ€“95 BCE
Philoxenus
Philoxenus consolidates influence in some areas.
95โ€“90 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.
90โ€“85 BCE
Nicias, Menander II, Artemidorus
Nicias, Menander II, and Artemidorus emerge.
90โ€“70 BCE
Hermaeus & Archebius
Hermaeus and Archebius rule in the western regions.
~80โ€“65 BCE
Apollodotus II
Apollodotus II re-establishes Indo-Greek rule in Punjab, reconquers Taxila.
~75โ€“70 BCE
Hippostratus & Dionysius
Hippostratus and Dionysius rule in eastern Punjab. Maues (Indo-Scythian) consolidates power in Gandhara.
~65โ€“55 BCE
Strato II & Zoilus II
Strato II and Zoilus II rule in Punjab. Indo-Scythian influence grows.
~55โ€“35 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.

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References

References

  1.  O. Bopearachchi, "Monnaies grรƒยฉco-bactriennes et indo-grecques, Catalogue raisonnรƒยฉ", Bibliothรƒยจque Nationale, Paris, 1991, p.453
A full list of references for this article are available at the Apollodotus II Wikipedia page

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