Diodotus-I

Written by Alok Mohan on April 18, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized

COINS OF THE INDO-GREEKS
DIODOTUS I, King of Bactria. (250 to 230 B.C.) Attic Tetradrachm. B.M.
References: A.K. Narayan, Indo-Greeks, Pl.I.1.7 M. V.D. Mohan, Indo-Greek Coins, p. 181, and Pl.I, 1.
Obverse: In dotted circle, head of Diodotus I, r, diadamed with one end floating freely behind and the other hanging stiffly down.
Reverse: Zeus 1. with aegis, hurling thunderbolt. To 1. wreath and eagle. R. Field B.
Footnote 1.
1. In the second century B.C. numerous princes of Greek origin ruled over small principalities in the extreme north-west of the Indian sub-continent. Literature is silent about most them. The ancient greek writers took notice of only four of them, namely. Demetrius, Apollodotus, Menander and Eucratides, while the ancient Indian literature knew only the first three. One more Greek prince, e.g. Antialkidas of Texila is known from the Garuda Pillar Inscription at Besnagar (Ancient Vidisha) near Gwalior of his ambassador Heliodorus. We have however discovered during last hundred years vast hoards of coins,
issued by the indo Greek princes.
They revealed to us the existence of thirty-six rulers including two queens Agathocleia and Calliopa.
It is evident that many of them ruled contemporaneously over different regions.
2. Locations and dates are based on the conclusions arrived at North West India of Second Century BC.

Diodotus became governor of Bactria during Antiochus II’s reign. The Babylonian Astronomical Diaries record that an unnamed Bactrian satrap sent a herd of twenty war elephants to Babylon at the beginning of 273 BC to join the Seleucid forces fighting against Ptolemaic Egypt in the First Syrian War. This satrap may have been Diodotus, or a predecessor.. Archaeological evidence for the period comes largely from excavations of the city of Ai-Khanoum, where this period saw the expansion of irrigation networks, the construction and expansion of civic buildings, and some military activity, probably raiding by nomads from the Central Asian steppe. As satrap, Diodotus was probably involved in these matters, though the specifics are not recoverable. Before Diodotus came to power, there was already a mint in Bactria based at Ai-Khanoum or at Bactra, which minted royal coinage in the name of the Seleucid sovereign, with the reigning Seleucid king’s portrait on the obverse and an image of Apollo, the Seleucid patron deity, sitting on an omphalus. As satrap, Diodotus continued to issue these coins, in the name of Antiochus II. This included gold staters, silver tetradrachms, drachms, and hemidrachms, and some bronze coins. Diodotus introduced a new coinage also while still satrap, which consisted of a large number of silver tetradrachms and, later, a small number of gold staters. These coins have the head of a male figure on the obverse, presumably Diodotus himself, shown wearing the diadem—a band of cloth wrapped around the head, with two strips hanging down the back, which had been the standard symbol of Hellenistic kingship since the time of Alexander the Great. The image seems to gradually age over time, suggesting that it was intended as a realistic portrait of Diodotus. The reverse of these coins abandoned the Seleucid God Apollo in favour of a depiction of Zeus preparing to throw his thunderbolt. The choice of Zeus may have been intended as a reference to Diodotus himself whose name meant ‘Gift of Zeus’ in Greek. Towards the end of this series, a small wreath appears on the reverse to the left of Zeus. The wreath was a Greek symbol of victory. Frank Holt suggests that it commemorated a victory over the Parthians and that this victory was also the source of Diodotus’ epithet soter (savour). Other Hellenistic kings, such as Antiochus I Soter and Attalus I Soter of Pergamum took this title to commemorate victories over existential barbarian threats. Diodotus may have done the same. This may further have been the occasion of Diodotus I’s assumption of the royal title of king (basileus)—as a similar victory was for Attalus I. Diodotus also issued a bronze coinage.

14.  DIODOTUS II. King of Bactria 

(230 to 220 B.C.) 

Attic tetradrachm. B.M. 

References: E.J. Rapson, C.H.I., Pl. II. 13; A.K. Narain.  Indo-Greeks, Pl.I.3.

 M.V.D. Mohan, Indo Greek Coins, p181, Pl. I.2

  • Obv. 1. In dotted circle, head of Diodotus 11 r., diad, as  on no.1 above. 

Rev:  Zeus striding 1., hurling thunderbolt, aegis on 1.. arm, wreath underneath it and Y in between near 1. 

foot eagle 1. Το r. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ To 1. ∆10∆OTOY 

Alok Mohan

The admin, Alok Mohan, is a graduate mechanical engineer & possess following post graduate specializations:- M Tech Mechanical Engineering Production Engineering Marine engineering Aeronautical Engineering Computer Sciences Software Engineering Specialization He has authored several articles/papers, which are published in various websites & books. Studium Press India Ltd has published one of his latest contributions “Standardization of Education” as a senior author in a book along with many other famous writers of international repute. Alok Mohan has held important positions in both Govt & Private organisations as a Senior professional & as an Engineer & possess close to four decades accomplished experience. As an aeronautical engineer, he ensured accident incident free flying. As leader of indian team during early 1990s, he had successfully ensured smooth induction of Chukar III PTA with Indian navy as well as conduct of operational training. As an aeronautical engineer, he was instrumental in establishing major aircraft maintenance & repair facilities. He is a QMS, EMS & HSE consultant. He provides consultancy to business organisations for implimentation of the requirements of ISO 45001 OH & S, ISO 14001 EMS & ISO 9001 QMS, AS 9100, AS9120 Aero Space Standards. He is a qualified ISO 9001 QMS, ISO 14001 EMS, ISO 45001 OH & S Lead Auditor (CQI/IRCA recognised certification courses) & HSE Consultant. He is a qualified Zed Master Trainer & Zed Assessor. He has thorough knowledge of six sigma quality concepts & has also been awarded industry 4, certificate from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation Knowledge Hub Training Platform  He is a Trainer, a Counselor, an Advisor and a Competent professional of cross functional exposures. He has successfully implimented requirements of various international management system standards in several organizations. He is a dedicated technocrat with expertise in Quality Assurance & Quality Control, Facility Management, General Administration, Marketing, Security, Training, Administration etc. He is a graduate mechanical engineer with specialization in aeronautical engineering. He is always eager to be involved in imparting training, implementing new ideas and improving existing processes by utilizing his vast experience.