Diodotid dynasty

Diodotid dynasty
Coin of Diodotus Soter, with thundering Zeus serving as the symbol of the Diodotids
CountryGreco-Bactria
Foundedc. 255 BC
FounderDiodotus I
Final rulerDiodotus II
Titles
Dissolutionc. 225 BC

The Diodotid dynasty was a Hellenistic dynasty founded by Seleucid viceroy Diodotus I Soter[1][2] c. 255 BC, ruling the far-eastern Kingdom of Bactria. The Diodotids were the first independent Greek kings to rule in Bactria.[3][4]

The origins of Diodotids are unknown. Antiochus Nicator, a proposed Greco-Bactrian King c. 230s BC, would have belonged to the Diodotid dynasty (his existence as a distinct Greco-Bactrian ruler is controversial and his coins may have represented Seleucid authority).[5] Diodotus II Theos was the last Diodotid ruler of Bactria. His reign was marked for his controversial alliance with the Parthians against the Seleucid Empire.[4] Diodotus II was deposed c. 235-225 BC by Euthydemus, founder of the Euthydemid dynasty, thus ending the dynasty's rule over the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom. [6][7]

  1. ^ Holt 1999, pp. 64
  2. ^ Ramirez-Faria, Carlos (2007). Concise Encyclopedia Of World History. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 64. ISBN 978-81-269-0775-5.
  3. ^ Astin, A. E. (1990). The Cambridge Ancient History. Cambridge University Press. p. 401. ISBN 978-0-521-23448-1.
  4. ^ a b Justin XLI, paragraph 1
  5. ^ Jakobsson, Jens (2010). "Antiochus Nicator, a third king of Hellenistic Bactria?". Numismatic Chronicle. 170: 17–33.
  6. ^ Tarn, W.W. (1938; repr. 2010). The Greeks in Bactria and India. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108009416.
  7. ^ "Indo-Greek kingdom | Asian history". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-09-13.