The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c26.285

v1.c26.285

The proper interpretation of these tetradrachms is due to von Sallet. Since his time the group has received sundry additions, and even yet it may be far from complete. The existence of two parallel series is universally admitted, one struck by Agathocles, the other by Antimachus, and each apparently consisting of a set of pieces reproducing in medallic fashion the issues of the earlier kings of Bactria. The coins were doubtless meant to pass current as money, but it seems certain that they were also designed to serve as political manifestos. The set with the name of Agathocles contains four distinct varieties. The first of these has the types of the familiar silver tetradrachms of Alexander the Great, but the portrait on the obverse is accompanied by the descriptive legend ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ, 'Alexander, Philip's son,' while the inscription on the reverse reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΟΣ ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ. This latter formula, which can only signify 'struck in the reign of Agathocles the Just,' is used as the reverse inscription of all the remaining varieties, and thus supplies the common element that binds the whole together. The second variety has on the obverse a diademed head with the words ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, 'Antiochus the Conqueror,' and on the reverse Zeus, thundering, with an eagle at his feet (Pl. IV, 1). The third shows the same reverse but has on the obverse, beside the head, ΔΙΟΔΟΤΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ, 'Diodotus the Saviour.' The fourth has on the obverse a head which is described as ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ, 'Euthydemus the Divine,' and on the reverse a figure of Heracles resting on a rock (Pl. IV, 2). It will be observed that the term ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ never occurs, and that, on the other hand, each of the kings has a special title affixed to his name. It will be observed, too, that except in the case of Alexander, where the lion-skin could not be done without, there is no attempt at an exact reproduction of the royal portrait. In particular, though the shoulders are undraped, the diadem has both ends hanging down, after the manner that was customary on the coins of Agathocles himself, instead of having one end flying out behind, as had previously been usual. There has been some discussion as to who is intended by 'Antiochus the Conqueror.' But the consideration on which von Sallet laid stress is surely decisive: in all the other cases the reverse type is characteristic of the individual whose head is represented on the obverse. Analogy thus puts it beyond question that the medals of 'Antiochus the Conqueror' are copies of the tetradrachms of Antiochus II with the thundering Zeus.