Fig. 2. A hemidrachma of Demetrius, silver, in the Ventura collection; a very beautiful coin, similar to one depicted in Sestini.

OBVERSE.-Head of the king, with helmet shaped like an elephant's skin and tusks. REVERSE. -Hercules standing : inscription, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ.

AGATHOCLES.

Fig. 3. A silver coin of Agathocles, in the Ventura collection.

OBVERSE.-A well executed head, with the royal fillet: short curly hair.

REVERSE. Jupiter standing, holding a small female figure, having apparently a flambeau in either hand on the sides, BAZIAENE AгAŠOKAEOTE, with a peculiar

monogram.

:

The general appearance of the head, and of the figure on the reverse, resemble the unique coin of Heliocles which Mr. Wilson has sketched for me from Visconti's work. Should there have been any indistinctness in the first two letters of the name of that coin, we may find reason to erase Heliocles from the Bactrian monarchy, and to substitute Agathocles, of whom Mr. Masson has already made known to us ten very peculiar copper coins, (Jour. As. Soc. Beng., iii., pl. ix. fig. 17.) The inscription in Pehlví (?) on the reverse of those coins proves that they belong to a Bactrian prince, and are not to be ascribed to Alexander's general of the same name, who is nowhere asserted to have assumed the regal power. The name is common enough. It was in revenge for a grievous insult offered to his family by one Agathocles, prefect of the provinces beyond the Euphrates, under Antiochus Theos, (B. C. 250,) that the Scythian Arsaces was roused to establish independent dominion in Parthia. The same party may have followed the example of assuming the title of king in some province of Bactria. That the coin does not belong to Agathocles of Syracuse I can now assert with confidence, having before me the most beautiful plates of the coins of that sovereign, (whose name is always written in the Doric genitive Agathocleos, or Agathocleios) in the Trésor de Numismatique,' now under publication at Paris.

MAYUS.

FIG. 4. One of two copper coins of Mayus, (or, Nayus) in the Ventura collection.

OBVERSE.-Head of an elephant, with proboscis elevated; a bell hanging round

the neck.

REVERSE. The Caduceus of Mercury, on the sides of which the words, BAXIAEna Maror, and a monogram composed of the letters M and I.

This is an entirely new name, nor can it be read as a Greek word in its present shape, although the characters are perfectly distinct on the coin, and the style of engraving corresponds with the early and pure Greek types. There is no Pehlví inscription. Could the third letter be read as a gamma, the name MATOT might denote the union of the office of chief priest of the Magi with that of king, and the elephant's head, found on the coins of Menander and of Demetrius, might enable us to appropriate the present medal to one or the other of these princes.

EUCRATIDES.

Figs. 5 to 10. Coins of Eucratides the Great.
Fig. 5. A silver tetradrachma, badly executed.
OBVERSE.-Head of the king, helmeted.

(Ventura.)

REVERSE. Two Bactrian horsemen, (or Castor and Pollux,) with wings on their shoulders, and lances; the two first letters of the legend corrupt, VEIAENE ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΔΟΥ; monogram, M.

Fig. 6. A beautiful didrachma, of the same prince. (Ventura.)

OBVERSE. A neat head, without helmet; hair bound with fillet.
REVERSE.-Two horsemen; inscription, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ.

Fig. 7. A very well preserved copper coin of the same prince, presented to me by Capt. Wade.

Figs. 8, 9, and 10.-Three copper square coins of the same prince, upon the reverse of which is seen, for the first time, the introduction of a Pehlví legend. Several of the same coins are depicted in Mr. Masson's paper; they all agree in having the inscription on three sides only of the square; the plates will shew the variation to which the letters of the name are liable; in Roman characters they may be rendered malakao kákáo eukratido. [Máhárajasa Eukratidasa.']

The history of Eucratides is too well known to require repetition here.2 Bayer fixes his ascent to the Bactrian throne in the year 181 B. C. He was a contemporary of Mithridates I. of Parthia, who assisted him in repelling Demetrius, king of India, as he is termed, beyond the frontier, and finally driving him from his throne at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. On the division of the conquered empire, Mithridates had the provinces between the Hydaspes and Indus asigned to him; and Eucratides, all the remainder, east and south, of his Indian possessions.—‘all India' is the term used, but it is uncertain to what limit southward this expression should apply.

It has not yet been remarked by those who are curious in reconciling the names of Indian legend and Grecian history, that the names Eucratides and Vikramaditya bear a close resemblance both in sound and in signification: while the epoch and the scene of their martial exploits are nearly identical. The Hindú accounts of Vikramáditya are not to be found in the regular Pauranic histories, but only in separate legends, such as the 'Vikrama-Charitra' and others, mentioned by Wilford, (As. Res. ix. 117,) all teeming with confusion, contradictions, and absurdities in an unusual degree. The genealogical tables of the solar and lunar lines contain no such name, neither does it occur among the few notices of embassies to and from India to Syria and Rome, in the authors of the west.3 Eucratides' empire was so extended and matured that he assumed the title of Barieus μeyaλos: thus the peaceful coin, fig. 6, was doubtless struck before his expeditions; those with the armed head, and the addition of the Great,' after his return: and it is remarkable that the latter only have a Pehlví legend on the reverse, being intended for circulation perhaps in his more southern provinces, or imitating in this respect the coins of Menander, whose reign in India had been so glorious. If the date assigned by Bayer (146 B.C.) to Eucratides' death, be thought too far removed from the commencement of the Samvat era of Vikramaditya (56 B.C.) it may be argued that, as Eucratides is acknowledged to be the last but one of the regular Bactrian kings, all the new names recently discovered, Agathocles, Mayus, Philoxenus, Antimachus, etc.-must find their places before him in the list, which may easily bring down his date even a century.

The analogy between the Bactrian and the Indian heroes is, it must be confessed, of very slender texture, just enough to be hazarded as a mere speculation, which more skilful antiquarians may indulge their ingenuity in improving or condemning,

1

[The insertion of the second title in the Pehlvi legend seems to be erroneous.] 2 See 'Jour. As. Soc. Beng.', vol. ii., 409, and Maurice's 'Modern Hindostan,' i., 98.

3 The embassy of 'Porus' to Augustus must have been immediately after Vikramaditya. It is stated that his letters were written in the Greck character. The Scythians were then pressing the country.

KODUS.

Figs. 11, 12, 13. Three small silver coins, inserted in this plate, because their inscriptions are entirely Greek, though they have no other pretension to be counted with Bactrian coins. The appearance of the head-dress in the third is rather Arsacidan, but the names and titles are altogether novel and curious. I have selected the three most legible among several coins in my possession. The first two are of Mohan Lal's, the third of Karámat 'Ali's, collection. The name of ΚΩΔΟΣ is altogether unknown.

The heads on the obverse of all these coins seem to belong to different persons; the standing warrior on the reverse is alike in all, and the inscription on the two first ΚΙΔΟΥ ΜΑΚΑΡ ΡΔΗΘΡΟΥ. On the third coin, the titles differ, and is the same.

are illegible, but the name KWA.

MENANDER.
(pl. xiv.)

Although Menander is well-known to have preceded Eucratides in date, I have preferred separating his coins from the genuine Bactrian group, and classifying them with those of Apollodotus, Antilaki les, etc., as a distinct series, on account of the essential difference in their style of execution. Their native legends, also, seem to denote a different locality. Menander, before he came to the throne of Bactria proper, had, it is supposed, formed an independent dominion in the more southern provinces on the Indus. This may be the reason of the deviation from the Syrian type of coin, so remarkably preserved by the earlier sovereigns of Bactria.

Figs. 1, 2, 3. One silver and two copper coins of Menander.

Fig. 1. A silver hemidrachma, weighing 37 grains, (one from Karámat 'Alí; a duplicate from Gerard,) differing from those depicted in Masson's plates, and from Swiney's coin described in the 'Jour. As. Soc. Beng.' vol. ii., p. 406. [p. 46.]

OBVERSE.-Head facing the left: on the margin, BAZIAENE ENTHPOΣ MENANAPOT: a kind of sceptre, or crook, lying on the shoulder.

REVERSE.-Minerva with Jupiter's thunderbolt, facing the right; Pehlvi legend, malakdo rakako minano, and monogram (see 'Jour. As. Soc. Bengal,' vol. iii. p. 164.) [Maharajasa Tradatasa Menadrasa.]

Fig. 2 has already been drawn and described by Masson, vol. ii.

Fig. 3 differs from Masson's fig. 1, in the figure of the Victory on the reverse. (Karamat 'Alí.)

APOLLODOTUS.

Figs. 4, 5. Two silver coins of Apollodotus, both in the Ventura cabinet; of the first the number is considerable; the latter is new, and of very beautiful execution.

Fig. 4 has already been described from Swiney's coin in 'Jour. As. Soc. Beng.' vol. ii., p. 406. The legend on the obverse is here quite distinct ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΟΔΟΤΟΥ. The Pehlvi inscription on the reverse, however, has no addition for the words al piλoraTopos, being simply [Maharajasa Tradatasa Apaladátasa.]

Fig. 5 has on the obverse, the Indian elephant, with a monogram, and the usual title; and on the reverse, a Bráhmaní bull, with the same Pehlví legend.

Fig. 6 is a copper coin in Swiney's collection, the precise fellow to that described by Tod, in the Transactions of the Royal Asiatic Society.'

·

Figs. 7 and 8 are two from among several square copper coins brought down by Mohan Lal. They are nearly the same as the coin in Burnes' collection (Jour. As. Soc. Bengal,' vol. ii. pl. xi. [ii.] fig. 7,) which, I then supposed to be a Menander, but which I am now able to recognise by its Pehlvi legend. The examples on these coins, are decisive of the orthography of rakako = ENTHPOX.

ANTILAKIPES.

Figs. 9, 10, 11, are three selected quadrangular coins of Antilakides, from six in the Ventura collection. The name was first made known by Masson, who supposes,

from the beards (which are not however so clear on the specimens before us), that this prince and the next, ATZIOZ, belong to a separate dynasty. He detects the conical emblem of the reverse on one coin of Eucratides. I have not, however, found any of the sort. One description will serve for all.

OBVERSE.-Head of the sovereign, with the legend, BAZIAENE NIKH OPOY ΑΝΤΙΑΛΚΙΔΟΥ.

REVERSE. TWO plumes waving over two conical caps, (or ? bee-hives). Monogram below, AZ, and Pehlví inscription, malakao ajalado atilikado, (or ? atikalikado [Máhárajasa jayádharasa Antiálikiḍasa.]

LYSIUS.

Fig. 12. A copper quadrangular coin of Lysius, similar to two in Masson's series of Ausius: the first letter is clearly an in Greek, and this reading is confirmed by the Pehlví H. The monograms are the same as the last coin.

OBVERSE.—Head of the king, with the legend, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΛΥΣΙΟΥ. REVERSE.-An elephant, with a monogram A, and the Pehlví inscription, lisato. [Maharajasa Apaḍihatasa Lisikasa or ása ?]

malakdo

(pl. xv.)

I have designed in this plate, from the Ventura collection, several very interesting coins, of new names and features, for which no locality can as yet be assigned. As almost all of them bear Pehlví inscriptions, they are evidently Bactrian; but to admit them into the regular series of that dynasty, would greatly extend the catalogue of its princes. They rather bear out the fact of there having been several petty independent dynasties, like that at Nysa, for which Masson endeavours to set apart some of the coins to be presently mentioned.

Fig. 1. A fine silver coin of Philoxenus, in the Ventura collection. This name was borne by one of Alexander's generals, to whom Cilicia, west of the Euphrates, was assigned, in the division of his conquests. The coin, therefore, cannot belong to him, though his title of unconquered' would argue his power and warlike propensity.

OBVERSE.-Head of the prince, in a helmet similar to that of Eucratides: legend, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΞΕΝΟΥ.

REVERSE. The prince on horseback; monogram formed of two Ʌ's: legend in Pehlví, [Máhárajasa Apaḍihatasa Pilasinasa.]

Fig. 2. A square copper coin of the same prince, nearly allied to those of the last plate.

OBVERSE.-A female figure holding the cornucopia. Greek legend, and monogram as before.

REVERSE.-The Brahmaní bull, with the same Pehlvi legend, and the letter as a monogram.

ANTIMACHUS.

Fig. 3. A small silver coin of Antimachus, also a new prince. The character of the horseman connects it with the preceding; the portrait of the prince is wanting, nor can I find any record of his name preserved.

OBVERSE. - Victory or Fame : legend, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΜΑΧΟΥ. REVERSE.-Horseman, and Pehlví inscription. [ Maharajasa Jayadharása

Antimákhasa.]

Fig. 4. A copper coin recognised to belong to Antimachus, from the Pehlví name. (Ventura.)

NONUS.

Fig. 5. A silver coin of Nonus, in the same style as the last, and without portrait. (Ventura.)

OBVERSE.-Horseman, with couched lance; scarf round the neck, part of the legend visible, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΩΝΟΥ. [ΟΝΩΝΟΥ.]

REVERSE.-Soldier holding a spear; namie in Pehlví, [Spalharasa.]

Fig 10. A square copper coin of the same prince, in which his title of μeyarov is apparent. The style of the copper coinage, compared with the silver, in all the above, connects them with the Menander and Apollodotus group. [This is also a coin of Vonones and Spalhares OBV. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΟΝΩΝΟΥ. REV. Dhamikasa Spalhárasa.]

...

UNCERTAIN NAMES.

Fig. 6. The same as Masson's No. 44. The name is not visible in the Greek, and if restored from the Pehlví, which is quite distinct, it is unintelligible, Ulitizou : the titles are of a paramount sovereign: the Greek letters corrupted.

OBVERSE.-The king holding a sceptre, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ. [ΡΠΑΛΙΡΙΣΟΥ.]

REVERSE.-Jupiter seated in his chair. [Maharajasa Mahatakasa Spalirisasa.] Figs. 7, 8. The grandiloquent titles in these are the same as the last, and both, perhaps, on that account, should be classed with the Azos series, in the next two plates, which has invariably the title 'great king of kings.'1

Fig. 9. This square copper coin has the precise style of Nonus and the Azilisos device.

OBVERSE.-A horseman with couched lance: letters visible of the legend, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΥ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΡΟΥ? [ΣΠΑΛΥΡΙΟΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ.]

REVERSE-A seated figure, probably Hercules. Pehlvi legend, though sharply cut, not unintelligible. [Spalhára putrása Dhamiasa Spalaganamasa.]

Fig. 11. The title, 'king of kings' is also visible on this coin, with the emblem of an elephant on the obverse. The king, seated on a couch, is placed on the reverse. No native legend is traceable. [Major Cunningham has a coin of this type with the legend, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΜΑΥΟΥ. REVERSE: Rajadira Mahatasa Mayasa.]

Figs. 12, 13, 14, belong to a series of coins sui generis: the two first are of the Ventura collection, the third from Masson's plates. The head fills the obverse, while the title, in corrupt Greek, surrounds a well executed horse on the reverse. It is probable that all the horse' coins belong to one locality: Bactria was famous for its fine breed of this noble animal; but he is generally represented mounted by a warrior. This coin, and No. 8, are the only ones on which he appears naked. The extended arm of the prince on the obverse is a point of agreement with the common coin, fig. 25 of pl. xvii.

Azos.
(pl. xvi., xvii.)

We now come to a series of coins exceedingly numerous, and of various device, bearing the name of a prince altogether unknown to history. It was from a coin presented by Mohan Lál, (Gerard's compagnon-de-voyage,) to Dr. Grant, that I first recognised the name of this sovereign, many of whose coins had passed through my hands before in Burnes' collection, and in Masson's plates, without presenting a legend sufficiently distinct to be decyphered. Gen. Ventura's collection also possessed many very distinct coins of Azos, and his name, either in Greek or in Pehlví, was then traced through a series of coins that had been given to other monarchs.

The title of Azos is always ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΖΟΥ: in Pehlvi, malakdo kakkdo malako ajo, or ayo. [Máhárajasa Rajarajasa or Rajadhirajasa Mahatasa Ayasa.] The name is generally set upright under the device both in Greek and Pehlvi; but an occasional exception occurs, as in fig. 12, where it runs

1 [No. 7. is proved, by a more perfect coin in Major Cunningham's unpublished plate x. fig. 14, to belong to Mayus. The same authy confirms the attribution of No. 8 to Azos, pl. xii. 12.]