Peukolaos

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Coin of Peukolaos.
Obv: Bust of diademed king Peukolaos, with Greek legend: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΠΕΥΚΟΛΑΟΥ "King Peucolaus, The Just and The Saviour".
Rev: Zeus with scepter in left hand, making with his right hand a gesture of benediction, identical to the Buddhist vitarka mudra. Kharoshti legend: MAHARAJASA DHARMAKASA TRATASA PIUKULASA "Peucolaus The Saviour, King of the Dharma"

Peucolaus was an Indo-Greek king who ruled in the area of Gandhara c. 90 BCE. He reign was probable short and insignificant, since he left only a few coins, but the relations of the latter Indo-Greek kings remain largely obscure.

His name could be interpreted as "The man from Pushkalavati", an important Indo-Greek city east of Kabul.

[edit] See also

• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
• Seleucid Empire
• Greco-Buddhism
• Indo-Scythians
• Indo-Parthian Kingdom
• Kushan Empire

[edit] References

• "The Greeks in Bactria and India", W.W. Tarn, Cambridge University Press.
• "The Coin types of the Indo-Greek Kings 256-54 BCE", A.K. Narain