11 Facts About Eucratides I

Eucratides I was one of the most important Greco-Bactrian kings.

Eucratides I fought against the easternmost Hellenistic and Indian rulers in India, holding territory in the Indus and as far as Barigaza until he was finally defeated by Menander and pushed back to Bactria.

Eucratides I minted a vast and prestigious coinage, suggesting a rule of considerable importance and prosperity.

Eucratides I's parents were likely members of the ousted Diodotid dynasty.

Eucratides I came to the throne by overthrowing the Euthydemid dynasty in Bactria, possibly when its king, Demetrius was conquering northwestern India.

Justin explains that Eucratides I acceded to the throne at about the same time as Mithridates, whose rule is accurately known to have started in 171 BC, thereby giving an approximate date for the accession of Eucratides I:.

Some coins of Eucratides I represent his parents, where his father is named Heliocles, and his mother, Laodice, who is depicted wearing a royal diadem and therefore of royal descent.

Numismatic evidence suggests that Eucratides I was a contemporary of the Indo-Greek kings Apollodotus I, Apollodotus II and Diodotus III.

The murder of Eucratides I probably brought about a civil war amongst the members of the dynasty.

Eucratides I carried on several wars with great spirit, and though much reduced by his losses in them, yet, when he was besieged by Demetrius king of the Indians, with a garrison of only three hundred soldiers, he repulsed, by continual sallies, a force of sixty thousand enemies.

Obv: Bust of Eucratides I, helmet decorated with a bull's horn and ear, within bead and reel border.