Diodotid dynasty

Diodotid dynasty
Coin of Diodotus Soter, with thundering Zeus serving as the symbol of the Diodotids
Country	Greco-Bactria
Founded	c. 255 BC
Founder	Diodotus I
Final ruler	Diodotus II
Titles	Basileus of Bactria
Dissolution	c. 225 BC

The Diodotid dynasty was a Hellenistic dynasty founded by Seleucid viceroy Diodotus I Soter[1][2] c. 255 BC, ruling the far-eastern Kingdom of Bactria. The Diodotids were the first independent Greek kings to rule in Bactria.[3][4]

The origins of Diodotids are unknown. Antiochus Nicator, a proposed Greco-Bactrian King c. 230s BC, would have belonged to the Diodotid dynasty (his existence as a distinct Greco-Bactrian ruler is controversial and his coins may have represented Seleucid authority).[5] Diodotus II Theos was the last Diodotid ruler of Bactria. His reign was marked for his controversial alliance with the Parthians against the Seleucid Empire.[4] Diodotus II was deposed c. 235-225 BC by Euthydemus, founder of the Euthydemid dynasty, thus ending the dynasty's rule over the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom. [6][7]

Family Tree

This is a theoretical family tree of the Diodotid kings of Bactria, including the Seleucid king Antiochus II (for a more detailed family tree, see Family tree of the Greco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek kings).

Theoretical Family Tree of the Diodotid Kings of Bactria
Antiochus II Diodotus I daughter of Antiochus II? Diodotus II Antiochus Nicator (proposed) Agathocles of Bactria (proposed, illegitimate)

References

1. Holt 1999, pp. 64
2. Ramirez-Faria, Carlos (2007). Concise Encyclopedia Of World History. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 64. ISBN 978-81-269-0775-5.
3. Astin, A. E. (1990). The Cambridge Ancient History. Cambridge University Press. p. 401. ISBN 978-0-521-23448-1.
4. Justin XLI, paragraph 1
5. Jakobsson, Jens (2010). "Antiochus Nicator, a third king of Hellenistic Bactria?". Numismatic Chronicle. 170: 17–33.
6. Tarn, W.W. (1938; repr. 2010). The Greeks in Bactria and India. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108009416.
7. "Indo-Greek kingdom | Asian history". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 2021-10-20. Retrieved 2021-09-13.