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Diodotos I
circa 256-230 BCE

Around 250 BCE Diodotus or his son Diodotus II, the Seleucid satrap of Bactria, rebelled and set up an independent kingdom. History of Bactria was not recorded properly. Most of the history of Bactria was surmised from their coins and other collateral evidence. Euthydemus I deposed Diodotus II and became King of Bactria c. 230 BCE. Euthydemus II son Dementrios I and grand son of Euthydemus I advanced his kingdom into the Hindu Kush and northwestern India. He  established the Indo-Bactrian (Indo-Greek) branch of the kingdom in Indus Valley.   Chronology of the Indo-Bactrian rulers is based largely on numismatic evidence. Bactrian coins were imitations of Greek issues, but they gradually acquired a style of their own. Legend of Indo-Bactrian coins were inscribed in Greek, Brahmi, and Kharosti scripts.


Silver Tetradrachm of Diodotos I. c.256-230 BCE.
Obverse: Head of Diodotos I.
           Reverse: Zeus striding with aegis and thunderbolt, wreath and eagle at feet.
Weight: 16.2 grams.
Mitchener 74a


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RK. February 8, 2002