the introduction of a chaplet below the left arm of the figure on the reverse, and the rejection' or change of the monogram.2

Professor Wilson very naturally conjectured that as the one class composed the Bactrian coinage of Diodotus the Satrap, struck in the name of his master, so the other formed the consecutive local issue of Diodotus, the independent sovereign! The simplicity of this arrangement is, however, somewhat complicated by the discovery of a most important medal which connects the names of Diodotus and Agathocles. I allow M. Bartholomæi to supply the details of this and his other interesting acquisition.

'1.-Drachme inédite de Diodote Ir.

'Tête diadèmée de Diodote, tournée à droite; les cordons du diadème flottent par derrière.

'Revers.--BAZIAENE AIOAotor. ‘(Monnaie) du roi Diodote.' Jupiter nud et debout, vu du dos, dans une attitude menaçante, brandissant le foudre, qu'il tient dans la main droite, le bras gauche étendu enveloppé du pallium en guise d'ægide; à terre, l'aigle à demi éployé. Dans le champ, à gauche, une couronne de lauriers; à droite, un monogramme confus; et plus bas, quelque chose d'incertain, 'Argent: module, 4: poids, 65 grains.

2. Tétradrachme inédite, frappée sous le règne d'Agathoclès, en l'honneur de Diodote Ir.

'AIOAOTOT ENTHPOZ. (Effigie) de Diodote le Sauveur.' Tête diadèmée de Diodote tournée à droite, les cordons du diadème flottent par derrière.

• Revers. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΟΣ ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ

(Monnaie frappée) sous le règne d'Agathoclès le Juste.' Jupiter nud et debout, vu du dos, dans une attitude

The gold coin in the Paris collection has no monogram.

2 The monogram on Mr. Bartholomæi's drachma is . Major Cunningham has already published a nearly similar monogram, (Num. Chron. viii. p. 180), outlined as, and derived from other specimens of Diodotus' coinage: regarding which he remarks as follows: No. 2., also No. 57 of Frölich; Nos. 5, 9, and 46 of Gough. This occurs on a drachma of Diodotus, and on both the silver and copper coins of Seleucus Nicator, but not on those of his successors. The natural inference from these facts is, that this monogram represents the name of a city, which once belonged to the Seleucidæ, but was afterwards wrested from them by Diodotus. The monogram forms MAPгIANH, the name of the capital of Margiana, which was at first called Seleucia Margiané, and afterwards Antiochia Margiané; and which was undoubtedly one of the principal cities belonging to Diodotus.' The configuration of the present monogram and the independent exhibition of the r would certainly appear to improve Major's Cunningham's position, only in this case the cross-line at the top of the M is clearly superfluous. The remaining monogram on Diodotus' proper coins is given by the same author as . This he proposes to identify as TAAIKANA, Tálikán, which is hardly so satisfactory a rendering.

3 Ariana Antiqua,' 219.

menaçante, brandissant le foudre, qu'il tient de la main droite, le bras gauche étendu, enveloppé d'un manteau (pallium) à frange; à terre, l'aigle à demi éployé. Dans le champ, à gauche, une couronne de lauriers; à droite, un monogramme qui ressemble à la lettre (assez fréquent sur les médailles de la Bactriane).

Argent: module, 9: poids, 4 drachmes, 14 grains.

'La tétradrachme II. a été évidemment frappée après la mort de Diodote Ir. La légende du côté de la tête donne au roi le titre de σúrŋp (‘Sauveur'): c'est un hommage de reconnaissance de la nation, qu'il a délivrée du joug étranger (Prolog. Trog. Pomp. XLI. Justinus XLI. c. 4). Ce titre de 'Sauveur' n'a pas été dicté par la flatterie, car la Bactriane devait son existence politique au courage et à la sagesse de Diodote. Si l'on conservait encore quelques doubtes sur le véritable fondateur de la monarchie bactrienne, la légende de cette médaille, confirmée par le témoignage historique, suffirait pour prouver la vérité concernant ce fait.' (B. Koehne's Zeitschrift für Münz- Siegel- und Wappen-kunde,' etc., Berlin, 1843, p. 65).

M. Bartholomæi, it will be seen, considers this medal to have been struck in posthumous honour of Diodotus I., or II., during the reign of Agathocles. Professor Lassen prefers to suppose that Agathocles reigned over part of Eastern Bactria or in Badakhshán, at first in subordination to Diodotus, and subsequently as an independent prince; and that, therefore, this coin must be looked upon as having been struck by Agathocles while Diodotus was still king, though, possibly, in mere nominal acknowledgment of the supremacy of the latter.

Lassen,' following Droysen, discovers indication of a lower stage of kingly power as implied in the use of the term ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΟΣ, when contrasted with the ordinary title of However, M. Bartholomæi has risen up in his own. defence, and in this respect, I think, triumphantly demonstrated the true value of the word ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΟΣ, whatever may be said about the inferences he draws in regard to the relative positions of the two kings. But this last is far too large a subject to be entered upon satisfactorily in these hasty notes, so I shall content myself with permitting M. Bartholomæi to be heard in his own cause, though not to the extent of the thirty-two pages he devotes to his Réponse à M. Droysen.'

This coin is stated to have been found at Bukhárá by M. de Khanikoff. 1 'Indische Alterthumskunde,' 1852.

92

2 Notice sur des Médailles de la Bactriane (Réponse à M. Droysen sur ses conjectures concernant les premiers rois de la Bactriane).' 'Zeitschrift für Münz,' etc., 1846, p. 129.

'Il nous parait tout-à-fait impossible d'admettre qu' Agathoclès ait fait frapper cette médaille du vivant de Diodote et sous son autorité; comment dans ce cas aurait-il pu se dispenser de donner à un souverain plus puissant que lui, et vis-à-vis duquel il se serait trouvé dans une certaine dépendance, le titre de roi? ce titre que Diodote prenait sur sa propre monnaie? ce titre qu'il s'était arrogé, et dont, par consequent, il devait être encore bien plus jaloux que les rois héréditaires? Aucun des rois de ces hautes régions de l'Asie n'a manqué de s'intituler BAZIAETΣ sur sa monnaie. Ils y ont souvent ajouté d'autres épithètes, mais aucun n'a remplacé le BAZIAETΣ de rigueur. Comment ce vassal ou satrape de Diodote se serait-il permis de le priver d'un titre qu'il s'arrogeait lui-même ? car le BAZIAETONTOZ ne denote aucune dépendance, comme semble le supposer M. Droysen. L'emploi de ce participe est un exemple presque unique dans la numismatique grecque, mais non pas dans les inscriptions. C'est même par ce mot que commence celle de la fameuse pierre de Rosette. p. 144.-E. T.]

BACTRIAN COINS.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6.-These silver coins, tetradrachms, are known at once to be of Bactrian origin, from the sitting figure of Hercules holding his club, on the reverse, much in the same posture as that of Jupiter on the Syro-Macedonian coins. The epigraphe on Fig. 3,-a valuable coin and in fine preservation—is BAZIAENZ EтOTAHм.. of King Euthydemus,' the third king of Bactria. The only coin of this monarch hitherto known in Europe is described in Mionnet's 'Description des Médailles Antiques.' Pinkerton says it is a gold coin, having two horsemen with Bactrian tiaras, palms, and long spears' on the reverse; it is therefore quite different from the unique specimen before us.

It is a question how far this argument is good and valid. If the term ΣNTHP implied so much as our author has previously claimed for it in reference to this very Diodotus, the absence of the title of BAZIAENZ need not create any difficulty. This, indeed, is the view most in accord with the probabilities of the case. We know that Alexander's generals did not obviously assume the title of King till about 306 B.C. Seleucus Nicator's coins restrict themselves to the BAZIAENE. Antiochus I. has ordinarily the same title before his name; but we have two examples of his coinage bearing only the words ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ. (“This is the same coin which Frölich thought unique, and confirming the assumption of the title of Soter to Antiochus I. in his seventh year." Gough, Pl. II., Fig. 13. See also Pl. III., Fig. 14, Ibid.) Ptolemy I. Soter, after adopting the title of King in 306 B.C., is stated to have had divine honours paid to him, as the saviour' and preserver of the Rhodians in 304 B.C., which is supposed to have been the first occasion of his adoption of the EOTHP. This term, as in the parallel instance of Antiochus the First, we find in independent association with his name, though never in conjunction with BAZIAENZ, which, however, equally holds its place on other mintages.

b

Mr. Burgon has pointed out to me a medal which bears materially in favour of M. Bartholomæi's view. I transcribe Mionnet's notice of it. No. 568, A. K. M. AT. KO. ANTONIN. Tête laurée et barbue, à droite. Rev. KOMOAO.. BACIAETONTOC O.. TOCMOC (sic) ETTTXEI. NIKAIEÓN, en sept lignes, dans une couronne de laurier.' Supp. V. p. 105.

FIG. 4 has the features of a different prince; the reverse is, however, similar to the last, the three final letters of BAXIAENE are visible: as are..HM.. which can only form part, either of EvoudHMos, or of δΗΜητριος his son.

FIG. 5, of which there is a duplicate, is of a similar nature; the features corresponding with No. 3, or Euthydemus. There are two others of still ruder fabrication, distinguished by a more projecting forehead: they are illegible on the reverse.

FIG. 6. One of two silver tetradachms. These are more like Arsacidan coins, the stool on which the figure on the reverse sits having the form of those depicted in Vaillant. Although the connection with the foregoing coins is very strong, the head-dress and formal curls appertain to the Persian monarchs. The inscription is in the Pehlví character: some of the letters resemble ill-executed Greek.

These coins are all from Khoja-o-bán, the ruins of an ancient city N.W. of Bukhárá, whence numerous gems and antiques were also procured.

[Since Prinsep wrote this description of Fig. 6 a question has arisen as to whether these decidedly 'barbarous imitations' should not be classed under Characene. There is much to be said in favour of such an assignment, but there are for the present many valid reasons against any distinct recognition of this derivation. These coins have hitherto, almost without exception, been found in sites which associate them with the more perfect medals of Euthydemus, or in localities whither

1 Professor Wilson's observations on the attribution of these coins, written in 1840, are to the following effect:

'Nos. 9, 10, Pl. I. Tetradrachm. Head of king to the right, wearing a sort of cap or crown, as well as the fillet. Rev. sitting Hercules; barbaric inscription.

'These were brought from Bukhárá by Sir A. Burnes; and several others procured from the same place, as well as from other places north of the Hindú Kush, occur in his supplemental collection. They are apparently classed by M. Raoul Rochette with the preceding (J. des Sav., Sept., 1835, p. 515.) They are allied to them by the rudeness of their execution, and by the device of the reverse; but the costume of the head is very different from that of Euthydemus, and so is the expression of the face. It is also worthy of remark, that they bear a legend which, as far as has yet been observed, is always the same. It is so in the two specimens of the Plate; and in one represented in Baron Chaudois' Supplement. He also observes, that the legend 'est toujours figurée avec les mêmes caractères.' The inscription may possibly be intended for ETOTAHMOT, but, if so, the modification of the Greek letters is curious. In the rude delineation of the Hercules they resemble the coins of the kings of Characene.' 'Ariana Antiqua,' p. 225.

such types might well have found their way. They are discovered, too, in company not only with the better Greek examples of Euthydemus' mintage, but in conjunction with other less imperfect derivations from the normal type, which, in their progressive degradation and loss of weight, may well have prepared the way for the appearance of the more debased specimens! The device for the original Euthydemus reverse die seems to have been borrowed from the coins of Antiochus II. CEO, with this difference, however, that while the Club of Hercules on the Western money is exaggerated in size and extends to the ground by the foot of the figure, the Eastern coins reduce it to more reasonable proportions, and ordinarily make it rest on the right knee. Unfortunately for any comparisons that we might institute in reference to these die details, the Characene coins equally share this modification. The style of the hair on the obverse of these imitations certainly seems to approximate more in character to the Mesopotamian type; but, on the other hand, the bare chin, though not incompatible with a derivation from the latter, is, to speak generally, opposed to the prevailing portraiture.

But to come to a much more important query-that is, in what characters are the legends expressed? Up to a certain point they manifestly continue to be copies, more or less fragmentary, from the original Greek ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ. On one coin,' while the consecutive Greek letters of the title are still fairly distinguishable, the name on the opposite side of the field is seen to be either much further degraded or else it must be supposed to be altered altogether; for, omitting the opening characters, the third, fourth, and fifth letters read palpably.. ziz, and are followed by an E, which, however, is deficient in its lower line and takes the form of a modern F. Next in order, I would cite one of Burnes' coins which, so far,

1 In the collection of Colonel W. Anderson, C.B., late of the Bengal Artillery. 2 Now in the possession of General Fox.