13 Facts About Euthydemus I

Euthydemus I is thought to have originally been a satrap of Sogdia, who usurped power from Diodotus II in 224 BC.

Euthydemus I was an Ionian-Greek from one of the Magnesias in Ionia, though it is uncertain from which one, and was the father of Demetrius I, according to Strabo and Polybius.

William Woodthorpe Tarn proposed that Euthydemus was the son of a Greek general called Antimachus or Apollodotus, born c 295 BC, whom he considered to be the son of Sophytes, and that he married a sister of the Greco-Bactrian king Diodotus II.

For Euthydemus I himself was a native of Magnesia, and he now, in defending himself to Teleas, said that Antiochus was not justified in attempting to deprive him of his kingdom, as he himself had never revolted against the king, but after others had revolted he had possessed himself of the throne of Bactria by destroying their descendants.

Polybius relates that Euthydemus I negotiated peace with Antiochus III by suggesting that he deserved credit for overthrowing the descendants of the original rebel Diodotus, and that he was protecting Central Asia from nomadic invasions thanks to his defensive efforts.

The death of Euthydemus I has been roughly estimated to 200 BC or perhaps 195 BC.

Euthydemus I was succeeded by Demetrius, who went on to invade northwestern regions of South Asia.

Polybius claims that Euthydemus I justified his kingship during his peace negotiations with Antiochus III in 206 BC by reference to the threat of attack by nomads on the Central Asian steppe:.

Archaeological evidence from coin finds shows that Euthydemus I' reign saw extensive activity at fortresses in northwestern Bactria, especially in the Gissar and Koytendag mountains.

Stanco proposes that Euthydemus I was originally based in Sogdia and built the fortifications to protect himself from Bactria, before seizing control of the latter.

Euthydemus I minted coins in gold, silver and bronze at two mints, known as 'Mint A' and 'Mint B'.

Portrait type 1 is the earliest and portrait type 4 is the latest and these coins have often been interpreted as showing Euthydemus I aging over the course of a long reign.

Euthydemus I's coins were imitated by the nomadic tribes of Central Asia for decades after his death; these imitations are called "barbaric" because of their crude style.