Menander I facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Menander I
Portrait of Menander I
Indo-Greek king
Reign	165/155–130 BC
Predecessor	Antimachus II
Successor	Strato I
Born	Kalasi, Alexandria of the Caucasus (present day Bagram, Afghanistan)
Died	130 BC
Burial	Stupas across the Indo-Greek Kingdom
Consort	Agathokleia
Issue	Strato I
House	House of Euthydemus
Religion	Buddhism

Menander I Soter (also known as Milinda in ancient Indian texts) was a powerful Indo-Greek king. He ruled a large kingdom in the northwestern part of the Indian Subcontinent from about 165 BC to 130 BC. His capital city was Sagala.

Menander is famous for supporting Buddhism. He became a great friend and protector of this religion.

Menander's Kingdom

Menander started as a king in Bactria, an ancient kingdom. He then conquered the Punjab area. This helped him build a huge empire in the Indian Subcontinent.

His kingdom stretched from the Kabul River valley in the west to the Ravi River in the east. It also went from the Swat River valley in the north to Arachosia in the south.

Ancient Indian writers say he explored south into Rajasthan. He also went as far east as Pataliputra along the Ganges River Valley. A Greek geographer named Strabo wrote that Menander "conquered more tribes than Alexander the Great."

Coins and Influence

Many of Menander’s coins have been found. These coins show that his kingdom had a lot of trade and lasted a long time. They also tell us about his power and influence.

Menander was a strong supporter of Buddhism. He had many talks with a wise Buddhist teacher named Nagasena. These conversations are written down in an important Buddhist book called the Milinda Panha. The word panha means "question" in the Pali language.

Later Life and Death

Menander died in 130 BC. After his death, his wife Agathokleia became queen. She ruled as a regent for their young son, Strato I.

Buddhist stories say that Menander gave his kingdom to his son. Then, he left his royal life to focus on spiritual matters. However, another ancient writer, Plutarch, tells a different story. He says Menander died while fighting in a military campaign.

Plutarch also wrote that Menander's body was divided. Each part was given to different cities. These cities then placed his remains in special monuments. These monuments were likely stupas, which are dome-shaped Buddhist shrines.

Images for kids

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  Silver drachm coin of Menander I (155-130 BC). It shows Greek and Kharosthi writing.

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  Another silver drachm coin of Menander I. It shows a heroic picture of Menander.

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  Silver coin of Menander from the British Museum.

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  An image showing King Milinda (Menander) asking questions.

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  An Indian-style coin of Menander I. It shows a palm of victory.

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  The Shinkot casket holding Buddhist relics. It was made during Menander's rule.

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  An ancient Indian carving of Menander. He wears a Greek king's headband and a Buddhist symbol.

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  The Butkara stupa was made bigger when Menander I was king.

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  Silver coin of Menander, with the goddess Athena on the back. From the British Museum.

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  A coin of Menander II, a later king.

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  A comparison of pictures of Menander I (left) and Menander II (right).

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  A coin showing Strato I and Agathokleia, Menander's wife and son.

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  Vitarka Mudra hand gestures on Indo-Greek coins.

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  A Menander coin that features an elephant.

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  Images of foreigners on a gateway at Sanchi Stupa.

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  One of the first known pictures of the Buddha, from Gandhara.

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  A map detail showing "Menander Mons" in Asia.

See also

In Spanish: Menandro I para niños