Euthydemos i 225bc kingdom of bactria ancient greek. Bactrian coins were imitations of greek issues, but gradually. Chronology of the indobactrian rulers is based largely on numismatic evidence. Baktria, sogdiana coins for sale buy baktria, sogdiana. Mazdooano, the gracious one, kushan god on a gold dinara of. This bibliography is intended to complement rachel mairs the archaeology of the hellenistic far east. Bactria was a greek kingdom, established when it broke away from the seleukid kingdom. It is hoped that the current work will be of similar use in gathering material concerning the.
It covered bactria and sogdiana in central asia from 250 to 125 bc, while an expansion of its armies into northern india from 180 bc established the indo. Chronology of the indo bactrian rulers is based largely on numismatic evidence. The bactrian kingdom was the easternmost part of the hellenistic world which was created by the conquests of the macedonian king alexander the great. His kingdom seems to have been substantial, including probably sogdiana to the north, and margiana and ariana to the south or east of. A free to view alternative and through coin archives see 3. Only bactrian i have, but i do enjoy the look of these coins, and am tempted to seek out more and i love the op coin. Baktria, diodotus i as satrap for antiochus ii theos, c. A short time ago, a casual reference to the complicated greek monograms stamped on the earlier bactrian coins suggested to me an explanation of some of their less involved combinations by the test of simple greek letter dates, which was followed by the curious discovery that the bactrian kings were in the habit of recognizing and employing curtailed dates to the optional omission of the figure. Bactrian greeks bactrianumis ancient and islamic rare.
Pdf a flood of fake bactrian coins robert bracey academia. Indobactrian empire of india bactria zariaspa was an ancient country lying between the mountains of the hindu kush and the amu darya present day afghanistan, uzbekistan, and tajikistan. Media in category coins of the grecobactrian kingdom the following 2 files are in this category, out of 2 total. Bactrian coins were imitations of greek issues, but gradually acquired a style of their own. Sariandini and his sovietafghan team unearthed 21,000 pieces of gold in six burial chambers containing five women and one man. The coins of the greek and scythic kings of bactria and india in the british museum.
Many of the greek kingdoms in this period issued coins of this type for an example. The coins of the greek and scythic kings of bactria and india in the british. Oct 12, 2015 the period of the final disintegration of the grseco bactrian power is not definitely ascertained. Bactrian and indoscythian kingdoms, maues, ae hemiobol, c. Turkic bust right, wearing winged crown topped with senmurv, brahmi inscription in field, bactrian legend in margin. Jan 27, 2015 the coins of the greek and scythic kings of bactria and india in the british museum. About 30% of the coins in the hoard consisted of these very crude silver tetradrachms imitating the coins of alexander the great. Bactria proper was north of the hindu kush mountain range and south of the amu darya river, covering the flat region that straddles modernday afghanistan, tajikistan and uzbekistan. A bibliography of the numismatics of the hellenistic far east. The grecobactrian kingdom was, along with the indogreek kingdom, the easternmost part of the hellenistic world, covering bactria and sogdiana in central asia from 256 to. Indo bactrian empire of india bactria zariaspa was an ancient country lying between the mountains of the hindu kush and the amu darya present day afghanistan, uzbekistan, and tajikistan. It is the place where the bactrian gold was first excavated by the russian archaeologist viktor sarianidi in 1978.
The coins of the greek and scythic kings of bactria and india in the. Kritt, brian, new discoveries in bactrian numismatics classical numismatic studies no. Rpc i costs about 120 with a little luck 150 without, supplement i about 20, supplement ii which is of little use if you dont own the original books, like most supplements is free and has always been free. Bactrian greeks, ar drachm, heliokles i bactrianumis. Cunningham, the greeks of bactriana, ariana and india in numismatic chronicle, n. This new standard seems to be identical with that called by metrologists the persian, on which silver coins were struck in all parts of the persian empire, notably the sigli stamped with the figure of the. Sng ans 9 graecobactrian and indogreek coins sylloge nummorum graecorum 9780897222730. Oct 20, 2016 these bactrian versions very likely were derived from an earlier coinage struck by ptolemy i, who ruled egypt after the death of alexander iii the great, initially as satrap 3233054 bce, and. The barakat gallery, a fifthgeneration familyowned business, founded in jerusalem over 100 years ago. Portraits, especially of kings, were popular design choices in.
For the graecobactrian and indoscythian kingdoms see beside articles on the separate kings. The period of the final disintegration of the grsecobactrian power is not definitely ascertained. The bactrian kingdom spawned a number of greek monarchies to the east. Indic, coins, bactrian, coins, greek publisher london. Guide to ancient greek silver coins collecting how to overview of the types duration. A book on royal coinage for some greek kings in bactria, from euthydemus. Diademed head right zeus standing, brandishing thunderbolt, viewed from behind, crescent monogram, eagle in lower left corner. His kingdom seems to have been substantial, including probably sogdiana to the north, and margiana and ariana to the south or east of bactria. A bibliography of the numismatics of the hellenistic.
Grecobactrian coins in the lahori museum history of macedonia. This force grew as the greco bactrian kingdom expanded into india and was widely depicted in greco bactrian coinage. Printed by order of the trustees collection cornell. For those who wish to read it, its available here in pdf form for free. Specialising in classical antiquities, near eastern, biblical, chinese, precolumbian, byzantine, asian, african and primitive arts, the business expanded from a small shop in the jerusalem souq into a dealership with global reach, and a presence in most of the worlds major artbuying centres. Baktria, kings, diodotos i, ancient coins index with.
Bactrian coins is an article from journal of the royal asiatic society of great britain and ireland, volume 20. The coins of the greek and scythic kings of bactria. On all of his coins, the obverse has various portraits of king menander and reverse has. Diodotus i was the seleukid governor of baktrosogdiana early in antiochos iis reign. It covered bactria and sogdiana in central asia from 250 to 125 bc, while an.
Authentic ancient greek roman biblical numismatic coins for. As the bactrian king menander was ruling in indian region and most of his coins were minted in various ancient indian mints, i have collected some of his coins. Dec 23, 2016 bactrian gold provides an elusive and fascinating look at the ancient culture of what is now afghanistan. In 247 bc, the ptolemaic empire the greek rulers of egypt following the death of alexander the great captured the selucid capital,antioch. The kingdom of bactria ceased to exist around bce. Authentic ancient greek roman biblical numismatic coins for sale on ebay shop. Graecobactrian and indogreek coins a bibliography of the. You may be interested in collecting grecobactrian coins from this time period. They were treasure troves of information with names and portraits of the kings. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a. These bactrian versions very likely were derived from an earlier coinage struck by ptolemy i, who ruled egypt after the death of alexander iii the great, initially. Rulers of baktria continue under the indoscythians.
This page contains a pictorial record of each example of a fake bactrian greek coin which seems to originate from the same workshop probably a modern forger. Find the best selection from the most respected coins dealers around the world. See also the what is the directory structure for the texts. Grecobactrian coins in the lahori museum 1908 in ancient macedonian kings, archaeology by admin on may 26, 2009 at 2. The coins of the greek and scythic kings of bactria and india in the british museum, volume 3. May 26, 2009 grecobactrian coins in the lahori museum 1908 in ancient macedonian kings, archaeology by admin on may 26, 2009 at 2. Cribbs analysis is framed in his concept of a coinage tradition, which allows the numismatic evidence to be studied in a grounded manner. Sng ans 9 graecobactrian and indogreek coins sylloge nummorum graecorum.
Coins of the grecobactrian kingdom wikimedia commons. History of macedonia grecobactrian coins in the lahori. View more articles from journal of the royal asiatic society of great britain and ireland. A bibliography of the numismatics of the hellenistic far. Oct 09, 2017 guide to ancient greek silver coins collecting how to overview of the types duration. Handbook of coins of baktria and ancient india, 5th century bc to first century ad. These coins feature numismatic art and tend to be large. Mazdooano, the gracious one, kushan god on a gold dinara. The coins of the greek and scythic kings of bactria and india. You can select to see all the coins of a particular king from the options.
The coins of the greek and scythic kings of bactria and. For those who wish to read it, its available below, in pdf form for free. Cyrus the great in the 6th century bce conquered bactria and it remained under persian rule for the next 200 years as a bactrian satrapy. Bactrian kingdom coins the bactrian kingdom was the easternmost part of the hellenistic world which was created by the conquests of the macedonian king alexander the great. The third arm of the greco bactrian army was the indian war elephants, which are depicted in some coins with a tower thorakion or howdah housing men armed with bows and javelins. Page lxviii attic standard weigh 2 grains and the drachm 66 grains, and it is also admitted that from the time of eucratides the greek kings of bactria adopted a native standard. Jun 30, 2019 royal coinage in hellenistic bactria free pdf book a book on royal coinage for some greek kings in bactria, from euthydemus i to antimachus i. This very indic square drachma of apollodotuss features not only kharoshthi script, but an indic elephant and zebu as well. Aer greek and indian rule the territory came under the control of indoscythian c. I meant to show off this guy again for this thread. Iits like a scene right out of an indiana jones film. Mazdooano, the gracious one, kushan god on a gold dinara of kanishka i coin. Bactria proper was north of the hindu kush mountain range and south of.
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