Art of Greater Gandhara
Art of Greater Gandhara
Art of Greater Gandhara
Alexander the Great lifetime stater, 8.61g, official issue from Abydos, Troas, Asia
Minor, c. 328-323 BC, The obverse depicts Athena wearing a crested Corinthian helmet
ornamented with a coiled snake, wearing an earring and a necklace, her braided hair
falling straight down the back of her neck and visible as wavy locks beneath her helmet
to the side. The reverse depicts Nike holding a wreath and ship stylis (ornament) or a
mast, Hermes or a generic male wearing a chlamys (small cloak fastened at the
shoulder), a mint control mark consisting of the Greek letter xi under Athena's right
wing, and the inscription "Of Alexander
http://rg.ancients.info/alexander/staters.html
Portrait of Alexander struck during his life time, Afghan Treasure of Mir-Zakah
Obv. Alexander wearing the elephant headdress, the aegis of Zeus (thunder cape
that deflects enemies) and the rams horn of Amon an Egyptian god that the
Greeks identified with Zeus). Rev. Elephant facing right and greek leter xi above
Stater , weight and diameter unknown (about the size of penny)
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/AlexTGreat.htm
Portrait of Alexander minted by his General and friend, Ptolemy I, with in 18 years of
Alexander's death. Egypt, Ptolemy I, 310-305 B.C. rare bare breast variety AR
Tetradrachm, 15.67g. 28mm. struck c.310-305 B.C. Head of the deified Alexander
the Great r. wearing elephant skin. Rv. Athena striding r. holding spear and shield;
eagle on thunderbolt at feet; monograms in fields to l. and r.; test cut in field to l.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/AlexTGreat.htm
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/AlexTGreat.htm
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/AlexTGreat.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
After the death of Alexander the Great in the afternoon of 11 June 323
BCE, his empire was divided by his generals, the so-called Diadochi. One
of them was his friend Seleucus, who became king of the eastern
provinces - more or less modern Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and
Lebanon, together with parts of Turkey, Armenia, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. His kingdom had two capitals, which he
founded in c.300: Antioch in Syria and Seleucia in Iraq. Babylon was a
third important city. The empire was, like the empire of Alexander,
actually the continuation of the empires before: Persia, Babylonia and
Assyria.
Seleucus Is reign lasted from 312 to 280.
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
in c.246, during a short interregnum, the Seleucids lost much territory
in the east, where the Parni settled themselves in the satrapy of Parthia
-in northern Iran- and the satrapy of Bactria -Afghanistan- became
independent. The Seleucid king Antiochus III the Great was able to
reconquer these territories between 209 and 204. In the southwest, the
Seleucid kings fought several wars with the Egyptians; in 200, their king
was forced to cede Palestine to Antiochus III. Seleucid power was at its
zenith. Antiochus III the Great In 196, Antiochus III crossed the
Hellespont in order to add Thrace to his empire (which happened in
194). This was something that the Romans could not allow to happen,
and war between the two superpowers broke out in 192. Antiochus
received support from many Greek towns and help from the famous
general Hannibal, but was defeated and forced to pay a tremendous
sum of money. Moreover, the Seleucid empire lost its possessions in
what is now Turkey.
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
The tide was turning against the Seleucid monarchy. In the west, Rome
became too powerful to resist; they backed the Jews, who liberated
themselves in the years after 165 (the so-called Maccabaean revolt).
At the same time, Central Asian Nomads, the Parni founded the
Parthian empire, which seized away the eastern provinces. The towns in
Babylonia, a.o. Seleucia and Babylon, were captured between April and
June 141. New losses followed, until in 64, the Roman general Pompey
the Great made an end to the Seleucid kingdom.
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 1:
Seleucus I Nicator
June, 311 - September
281
Louvre
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 1:
Seleucus I Nicator 1(?) June, 311 - September 281
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 1:
Seleucus I Nicator 1(?) June, 311 - September 281
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 1:
Seleucus I Nicator 1(?) June, 311 - September 281
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/04/wam/ho_1974.105.9.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 2:
Antiochus I Soter September 281 - 2 June 261
Antiochus I, Soter, 280 to 261 BC Tetradrachm, diademed heard right / nude Herakles seated
left on rock, lion skin draped over rock, club in right hand. Magnesia ad Sipylum mint.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 3:
Antiochus II Theos 261-252 (Youth)
Seleucid Empire: Antiochus II Theos, 261-246. AR Tetradrachm (16.99 gm; 28 mm). Series I,
261-252 BC. Antioch. Diademed head right / BASILEWS - ANT-IOCOU. Apollo seated left on
omphalos holding bow and arrow. Monogram in left field. WSM 1135. Good metal and strike.
Well-centered.
http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/parscoins/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=3181&large=0
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 3:
Antiochus II Theos 261-252 (middle age)
SELEUCID KINGDOM: Antiochus II Theos (261246 BC). AR tetradrachm (16.84 gm). Seleucia
on the Tigris. Diademed head of Antiochus I right / BASILEWS ANTIOCOU, Apollo seated left
on omphalus, examining arrow held in right hand and resting left hand on bow, monograms in
outer left and right fields. SC 587.4a. ESM 178.
http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/freemanandsear/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=547&large=0
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 3:
Antiochus II Theos 261-252 (older)
SELEUCID KINGDOM: Antiochus II Theos (261246 BC). AR tetradrachm (16.34 gm). Perhaps
Temnus. Diademed head of Antiochus I right, rejuvenated and idealized / BASILEWS
ANTIOCOU, Heracles seated left on rocks, resting right hand on club before him, cantharus in
outer left field , HD monogram in exergue. Rare! SC 497. WSM 1510..
p://www.vcoins.com/ancient/freemanandsear/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=654&large=0
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 2a:
Interregnum 246-244 [Antiochus I]
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 3:
Antiochus Hierax, 246 to 227 BCE
Tetradrachm, Diademed draped bust right / Apollo seated left on omphalos holding
arrow and bow. Cilician mint.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 3:
Seleucus II Callinicus July/August 246 - after 18 September 226
SYRIA, Seleukid Kings. Seleukos II. 246-226 BC. AR Tetradrachm Uncertain mint, perhaps
Antioch. Diademed head right / Apollo standing left, holding arrow in right hand, resting
left elbow on tripod.
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 4:
Seleucus III Ceraunus (or Soter) before 10 April 225 - summer 223
http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/apollo/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=437&large=0
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
Ompalos? Whats that?
The demigod Heracles went to the edges of the earth to meet the legendary Amazons, the
Hesperides and the monster Geryon. Of course, Greece was the center of the world, and the
Greeks believed that they could prove it. Once, in the mythological past, the supreme god
Zeus had released two eagles at the edges of the earth, and they had met each other at
Delphi. A monument was erected to celebrate the outcome of this mytho-scientific
experiment: it was called the omphalos ('navel'). Probably, the story was invented to give
significance to a very ancient monument, the meaning of which was no longer understood. In
fact, it is likely that the Delphian omphalos originally was a baetyl, a 'house of god' that is
well-known from the ancient Near East.
http://www.livius.org/ea-eh/edges/edges.html
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 5:
Antiochus III the Great summer 223 - 3 July 187
Antiochus III, the Great, Seleucid, Greek, 223-187 BCE, Tetradrachm, AR, 16.9g, 1 1/8" dia.,
O: Diademed head right; AB monogram behind R: Apollo seated left on omphalos,
holding arrow and bow. "King Antiochus", Legend on reverse: ANTIOCOU BASILEWS,
(ANTIOCOU BASILEWS), King Antiochus
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 5:
Antiochus III the Great summer 223 - 3 July 187
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 6:
Seleucus IV Philopator 3 July 187 - 3 September 175
Seleucus IV, 187-175 B.C. AR Tetradrachm, Antioch mint. Diademed hd. of Seleucus r.
Rv. Apollo seated l. on omphalos hld. bow and arrow; wreath and palm in field to l.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 7:
Antiochus IV Epiphanes 3 September 175 - November/December 164
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 8:
Antiochus V Eupator November/December 164 - after 29 October 29 162
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 9:
Demetrius I Soter before September/October 161 - beginning of June 150
SYRIA, Seleukid Kings. Demetrios I. 162-150 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.68 gm). Antioch mint.
Diademed head right, within wreath / Tyche seated, holding baton and cornucopiae,
Nereid supporting throne; monogram outer
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 10:
Alexander I Balas summer 152 - beginning of August 145
Seleucid Kingdom, Alexander I Balas AR Tetradrachm, Rare Seleucia on the Tigris Mint ObvDiademed head of Balas right in Eastern style.Rev-Zeus Nikephoros enthroned left with scepter.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 10:
Alexander I Balas summer 152 - beginning of August 145
Seleucid Kingdom, Alexander I Balas AR Tetradrachm, Rare Seleucia on the Tigris Mint ObvDiademed head of Balas right in Eastern style.Rev-Zeus Nikephoros enthroned left with scepter.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 10:
Alexander I Balas summer 152 - beginning of August 145
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 11:
Demetrius II Nicator (first reign) before 8 September 145 - July/August 138
Demetrius II, silver tetradrachm of 27 mm, 13.15 grams. Struck at the mint of Tyre
in 129/8 BC. Diademed bust Demetrius II/Eagle stands left, wings closed, club to left.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 12:
Antiochus VI Dionysus beginning of August 145 - summer 140?
http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/ancientimports/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=7788&large=0
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 12:
Antiochus VI Dionysus beginning of August 145 - summer 140?
Antioch mint. Radiate and diademed head of King right. Reverse Helmet with cheek
pieces and ibex horn.Right field: KING ANTIOCHUS, BASILEWS ANTIOCOU (BASILEWS
ANTIOCOU) Left field: DIONUSOU EPIFANOUS, Dionysos Epiphanes. TPY, which stands
for Tryphon, between horn and helmet.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 13:
Diodotus Tryphon summer 140? - after August 138
Tetradrachm, Diademed head right / Macedonian cavalry helmet with ibex horn, thunderbolt
on cheek guard, all within oak wreath. Very rare, choice portrait of this short lived usurper.
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 14:
Antiochus VII Sidetes (or Euergetes) July/August 138 - after 20 May 129
Seleukid Kingdom: Antiochos VII Euergetes AR tetradrachm, 138-129 BC, Antioch mint,
16.48gm, 28mm. Obv: Diademed head of Antiochos VII right. Rev: BASILEWS ANTIOCOU E
UER-GETOU; helmeted Athena standing half-left, holding Nike in her right hand above
monogram and A; holding spear and shield with aegis in her left hand; small monogram
above left hand; all within wreath.
http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/apollo/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=252&large=1
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 15:
Demetrius II Nicator (second reign) first months of 129 - 126/125
Syria, Seleukid Kings. Demetrios II. Second Reign. 129-125 BC. AR Tetradrachm
(16.53 gm). Year 185 (128-127 BC). Damascus mint. Diademed and bearded head of
Demetrios right / [B]ASILEW[S] DHMHTRIO[U] right, QEOU NIKATORO[S] left, Zeus seated
left on throne, holding Nike and sceptre; XD below throne, EPR in exergue.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 16:
Alexander II Zabinas 129 - 123
Tetradrachm, Diademed head right / Zeus left holding Nike in right hand,
lotus tipped scepter right hand.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 17:
Seleukos V 125
No known Coins
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 17:
Cleopatra Thea 125-6
Rare
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 18:
Cleopatra Thea and Antiochus VIII Gryphus 126/125 - 121
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 20:
Antiochus VIII Gryphus 121 - 113 (first Reign)
SYRIA, Seleukid Kings. Antiochos VIII. First Reign. 121-113 BC. ARTetradrachm (16.54 gm).
Antioch mint. Diademed head right / Zeus Oranios standing left, holding star and sceptre
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 20:
Antiochus VIII Gryphus 108-96 (third reign)
SYRIA, Seleukid Kings. Antiochos VIII. First Reign. 121-113 BC. ARTetradrachm (16.54 gm).
Antioch mint. Diademed head right / Zeus Oranios standing left, holding star and sceptre
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 21:
Antiochus IX Cyzicenus 114/113 - 95
Antiochus IX, tetradrachm. Diademed head right / Athena standing half left holding Nike
in her right hand, shield and spear in her left.
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 22:
Seleucus VI Epiphanes Nicator 96 - 95
SYRIA, Seleukid Kings. Seleukos VI. 95-94 BC. AR Tetradrachm Antioch mint. Diademed
head right / Zeus seated left, holding Nike and sceptre; letters and monogram outer left,
A under throne.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 23:
Antiochus X Eusebes Philopator 95 - 92 or 83
SYRIA, Seleukid Kings. Antiochos X. 94-92 BC. AR Tetradrachm (14.55 gm). Antioch mint.
Diademed head right / Zeus seated left, holding Nike and sceptre; monogram and A to left,
monogram under throne.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 23:
Demetrius III Eucaerus (or Philopator) 95 - 87
SYRIA, Seleukid Kings. Demetrios III. 95-88 BC. AR Tetradrachm (14.88gm). Damascus
mint. Year 222 (91/90 BC). Diademed head right / Cult-statue of Atargatis facing; N and
A in left field, BKS and monogram in exergue.s
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 23:
Antiochus XI Ephiphanes Philadelphus 93- 92
Rare
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 23:
Philip I Philadelphus 95 - 84/83
SYRIA, Seleukid Kings. Philip Philadelphos. 89-83 BC. AR Tetradrachm (15.78 gm). Uncertain
mint in Northern Syria or Cilicia. Diademed headof Philip right / Zeus seated left, holding
Nike and sceptre; NKmonogram/A left, AP monogram at knee, monogram under throne.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3xycv/RulersCoins/seleucidPic.htm
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 23:
Antiochus XII Dionysus 87 - 84
Tetradrachm, 86-85 BCE, Diademed head right / Cult statue of Haddad standing
facing on double basis, flanked by two bull foreparts, holding grain stalk in right hand.
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 23:
Tigranes II the Great of Armenia 83 - 69
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 23:
Antiochus XIII Asiaticus 69 - 64
Rare
02 the Selucids
Seleucid Chronology
King list 23:
Philip II Philoromaeus 65 - 64
Rare
02 the Bactrian
Bactrian Chronology
King list 1: Diodotus I r. c.250-240 BCE