The Greeks in Bactria and India c10.s6.205

c10.s6.205

The Greek revival in the Paropamisadae then was directly due to the intervention of China, and Hermaeus began his reign as China’s vassal. To what the successful stand on the Jhelum was due cannot be said, unless to a considerable influx of Greek refugees into Hippostratus’ kingdom. The period of peace or of cessation of hostilities which followed Maues’ death and enabled the Greek revival probably lasted till well after 40 B.C., to give room for the coinages of Hermaeus and Hippostratus with the square omicron and especially for their numerous tetradrachms, and that must mean that Maues’ realm broke up on his death, as has already been argued for other reasons; but though this might have saved the Greek kings from further attacks for the time being, it would hardly have given that security of trade communication between Hippostratus and Hermaeus along the great road through Taxila and Gandhāra which, as we have seen, their coinages demand.