Political History Of Ancient India

SR No.: 032292
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hemchandra Raychaudhari
Publisher: University of Calcutta
Publication Year: 1950
Total Pages: 714
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 452

LINES OF INDO-GREEK KINGS
423
these sovereigns used similar coin-types, specially the figure of the goddess Athene hurling the thunderbolt, which is characteristic of the Euthydemian line. Pantaleon and Agathokles strike coins with almost identical types. They both adopt the metal nickel for their coins, and they alone use in their legends the Brāhmî alphabet. They seem, therefore, to have been closely connected probably as brothers. It is not improbable that Agathokleia was their sister. 3 Agathokles (and possibly Antimachos) issued a series of coins in commemoration of Alexander, Antiochos Nikator ( Antiochos III Megas according to Malala), Diodotos Soter, Euthydemos and Demetrios Aniketos (the Invincible).
Apollodotos, the Stratos, Menander and some later kings used the Athene type of coins. Apollodotos and Menander are mentioned together in literature. The author of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea says that "to the present day ancient drachmae are current in Barygaza (Broach) bearing inscriptions in Greek letters, and the devices of those who reigned after Alexander, Apollodotos and Menander”. Again, in the title of the lost forty-first book of Justin's work, Menander and Apollodotos are mentioned as Indian kings. 5 It appears from the Milinda-panho that the capital of the dynasty to which Menander belonged was Sākala or Sāgala. 6
1 For an interesting account of Indo-Greek coin-types see H. K. Deb IHQ, 1934, 509 ff.
2 Dancing girl in oriental costume according to Whitehead ; Māyā, mother of the Budba, in the nativity scene according to Foucher (JRAS, 1919, p. 90).
3 Agathokleia is also closely connected with the Stratos, being probably mother of Strato I, and great-grandmother of Strato II.
4 According to Tarn ( 447 f) the fictitious Seleukid pedigree is the key to the (pedigree) coin series of Agathokles, the Just." | 5 Rhys Davids, Milinda, SBE, 35, p, xix. Cf. JASB, Aug.. 1833.
6 "Atthi Yonakānam nānāputabhedanam Sāgalannāma nagaram," "Jambudipe Sāgala nagare Milindo nāma Rājā ahasi," "Atthi kho