Greco-Bactrian Kingdom facts for kids
Imagine a kingdom far, far away, at the edge of the ancient Greek world! This was the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom. It existed for about 125 years, from 250 BC to 125 BC. This kingdom was located in a region that Alexander the Great had conquered earlier. It covered most of modern-day Afghanistan. It also included parts of Turkmenistan, Iran, and Pakistan.
Most of what we know about this kingdom comes from old writings. A Roman writer named Strabo shared many details. Also, archaeologists have found many clues. They have dug up ancient cities in Afghanistan. Two important sites are Aï Khanoum and Begram. These digs help us understand how people lived back then.
Discovering the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
Many amazing things from the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom have been found. Some of these discoveries are shown in special exhibits.
Museum Exhibitions
The National Museum of Afghanistan has created a traveling exhibition. This show has visited famous museums around the world. It has been seen at the British Museum in London. It has also traveled to France, Germany, and the Netherlands. You can also see many other ancient items from this kingdom. They are on display at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. These exhibits help us learn about this fascinating ancient kingdom.
Images for kids
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Gold coin of Diodotus c. 245 BC. The Greek inscription reads: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΟΔΟΤΟΥ – "(of) King Diodotus".
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Remains of a Hellenistic capital found in Balkh, ancient Bactra.
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Asia in 200 BC, showing the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom and its neighbors.
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Coin depicting the Greco-Bactrian king Euthydemus 230–200 BC. The Greek inscription reads: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ – "(of) King Euthydemus".
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Silver tetradrachm of King Eucratides I 171–145 BC. The Greek inscription reads: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ – "(of) King Great Eucratides".
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Gold 20 stater of Eucratides, the largest gold coin of Antiquity. The coin weighs 169.2 grams, and has a diameter of 58 millimeters.
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The migrations of the Yuezhi through Central Asia, from around 176 BC to AD 30
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Gold artefacts of the Scythians in Bactria, at the site of Tillia tepe
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Silver coin of Heliocles (r. 150–125 BC), the last Greco-Bactrian king. The Greek inscription reads: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΗΛΙΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ – "(of) King Heliocles the Just".
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Coin of Eucratides I as a warrior holding a spear, obverse.
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Corinthian capital, found at Ai-Khanoum, 2nd century BC
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Stone block with the inscriptions of Kineas in Greek. Ai Khanoum.
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One of the Hellenistic-inspired "flame palmettes" and lotus designs, which may have been transmitted through Ai-Khanoum. Rampurva bull capital, India, circa 250 BC.
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Coin of Greco-Bactrian king Agathocles with Indian deities.
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Indian coinage of Agathocles, with Buddhist lion and dancing woman holding lotus, possible Indian goddess Lakshmi.
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Silver drachm of Menander I, dated circa 160–145 BC. Obverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ ('of King Menander the Saviour'), heroic bust of Menander, viewed from behind, head turned to left; Reverse: Athena standing right, brandishing thunderbolt and holding aegis, Karosthi legend around, monogram in field to left.
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Sculpture of an old man, possibly a philosopher. Ai Khanoum, 2nd century BC.
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Close-up of the same statue.
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Gargoyle in the form of a Greek comic mask. Ai Khanoum, 2nd century BC.
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Plate depicting Cybele pulled by lions. Ai Khanoum.
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Ionic pillar, cella of the Temple of the Oxus, Takht-i Sangin, late 4th - early 3rd century BCE.
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Head of a Greco-Bactrian ruler with diadem, Temple of the Oxus, Takht-i Sangin, 3rd–2nd century BCE. This could also be a portrait of Seleucus I.
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Hellenistic silenus Marsyas from Takhti Sangin, with dedication in Greek to the god of the Oxus, by "Atrosokes" (a Bactrian name). Temple of the Oxus, Takht-i Sangin, 200–150 BCE. Tajikistan National Museum.
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Alexander-Herakles head, Takht-i Sangin, Temple of the Oxus, 3rd century BCE.
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See also
In Spanish: Reino grecobactriano para niños
