Archaios | Indo-Greek Baktrian Drachme Hermaios

Description: Archaios Numismatics Description: Baktrian Bronze coin (AE Tetradrachm) of Hermaios Soter from the 1st Centry BC. Notice that these interesting coins of the Indo-Greek Empire are bilingual in both Greek and the Kharoshthi script showing the long reach of the Greek kingdoms into the Eastern realms. And the co-existence of the two cultures as displayed in the iconography and writing. Obverse: Diademed and Draped Bust of Hermaios to right. Legend around: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ [EPMΑΙoY] (or "King Hermaios, the Saviour"). Reverse: Zeus seated on Throne slightly left, holding scepter and extending arm as if to offer blessing ; monograms flanking, letter 'ba' in Kharosthi script to right. Legend in Kharoshthi script around [Tratarasa Maharajasa Heramayasa] "Saviour King Hermaios" Mint: Uncertain Baktrian Mint Size: 21 mm Weight: 8.8 g Ref: SC 1646, Bopearachchi Condition: VF. Full Legends. cf. CNG 203,234 (Est:$100, Hammer:$107), CNG 155,136(Est:$150) Use the Picture as your judge as grading is subjective. Notes: The Indo-Greek Kingdom or Graeco-Indian Kingdom was a Hellenistic kingdom covering most of the Punjab region. The kingdom was founded when the Graeco-Bactrian king Demetrius invaded the Indian subcontinent early in the 2nd century BC. The city of Sirkap founded by Demetrius combines Greek and Indian influences without signs of segregation between the two cultures. The most famous Indo-Greek ruler was Menander (Milinda).He had his capital at Sakala in the Punjab (present-day Sialkot). The Indo-Greeks were involved with local faiths, particularly with Buddhism, but also with Hinduism. Buddhism flourished under the Indo-Greek kings, and their rule, especially that of Menander, has been remembered as benevolent. Hermaeus Soter or Hermaios Soter (epithet means "the Saviour") was a Western Indo-Greek or Greco-Baktrian king of the Eucratid Dynasty, who ruled the territory of Paropamisade in the Hindu-Kush region, with his capital in Alexandria of the Caucasus (which is near today's Kabul, Afghanistan). Bopearachchi dates Hermaeus' rule to c. 90–70 BCE and R. C. Senior to c. 95–80 BCE. Hermaeus seems to have been successor of Philoxenus or Diomedes, and his wife Kalliope may have been a daughter of Philoxenus, according to Senior. Judging from his coins, Hermaeus' rule was long and prosperous, but came to an end when the Yuezhi, coming from neighbouring Bactria, overran most of his Greek kingdom in the Paropamisade around 70 BCE. According to Bopearachchi, these nomads were the Yuezhi, the ancestors of the Kushans, whereas Senior considers them Sakas. Coins of Hermaios Hermaeus issued Indian silver coins of three types. The first type has a diademed or sometimes helmeted portrait, with reverse of sitting Zeus making benediction gesture. Hermaeus also issued a rare series of Attic silver tetradrachms of this type, which were issued for export to Bactria; The second type was a joint series of Hermaeus with his queen Kalliope. The reverse departs from the traditional Hermaeus format, in that it shows the king on a prancing horse. The "king on a prancing horse" is characteristic of the contemporary Greek kings in the eastern Punjab such as Hippostratos, and it has been suggested that the coin represented a marital alliance between the two dynastic lines. The horseman on Hermaeus' version is however portrayed somewhat different, being equipped with a typical Scythian longbow. The third series combined the reverses of the first series, without portrait. Hermaios issued Bronze coins as well as the Posthumous issues from the Yuezhi. After the Yuezhi captured the area they imitated his coinage, just as they did in Baktria after defeating Heliokles I some sixty years earlier. Kushan ruler Kujula Kadphises also associated himself to Hermaeus on his coins, either in attempt to solidify legitimacy or due to the difficulties minting early coins. In any case, the Yuezhi-Kushans preserved a close cultural interaction with the Greeks as late as the 3rd century CE. Given the importance of Hermaeus to the nomad rulers, it is possible that Hermaeus himself was partially of nomad origin. We Thank You for stopping in and taking time to look at and bid on our listings. Good Luck Bidding !We encourage you to click the "See other items" link above in the "Seller Information" area of the listing as well to check out our other items posted. We have a variety of great classical and other ancient numismatic items available. 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Price: 85 USD

Location: Seattle, Washington

End Time: 2025-01-04T23:27:11.000Z

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