| Apollodotus II | |
|---|---|
 King Apollodotus II | |
| Indo-Greek king | |
| Reign | 80–65 BC |
| Died | 65 BC |
Apollodotus II (Greek:Ἀπολλόδοτος Β΄) was anIndo-Greek king who ruled in the western and eastern parts ofPunjab. Bopearachchi dates him to c. 80–65 BC, and R. C. Senior to c. 85–65 BC. Apollodotos II was an important ruler who seems to have re-established the Indo-Greek kingdom to some extent of its former glory.Taxila in western Punjab was reconquered from nomadScythian rule.
Apollodotus II seems to have been a member of the dynasty ofMenander I, since he used their typical deityAthena Alkidemos on most of his silver, and also Menander's titleSoter (Greek:Σωτήρ, "the Saviour"), on all his coins. On some coins, he also calls himselfPhilopator (Greek:Φιλοπάτωρ, "the father-loving"), which proves that his father had been king before him. R C Senior guesses thatAmyntas orEpander could have been his father.
Apollodotus' reign possibly began in the Punjab, when the Scythian kingMaues ruled inGandhara and its capitalTaxila. What probably happened is that Apollodotus II took overTaxila after the death ofMaues, though it is uncertain whether he defeated Maues or his descendants, or was allied or related to the dynasty of Maues. The late Indo-Greeks may have been rather mixed with both Indians and Scythians. R C Senior suggests that Apollodotus had struck an alliance with another Scythian king,Azes I.
The Scythian hold on Gandhara loosened after the death of Maues, and petty kings of mixed or uncertain origin, likeArtemidorus the son of Maues,Telephus and perhapsMenander II emerged in the area. These kings posed no threat to Apollodotus II, who on some of his coins assumed the titleBasileus Megas (Greek:Βασιλεὺς Μέγας, "Great King"), in echo of Maues' boastful title "Great King of Kings".
After the death of Apollodotus II, the Indo-Greek kingdom fragmented once more.
Apollodotus II issued a large number of coins. He struck silver with a diademed portrait on the obverse and a reverse ofAthena Alkidemos, and also a unique coin with the reverse of a king, possiblyAlexander the Great, sitting on a horned horse similar to Alexander'sBucephalus and holding his hand in a benediction gesture.
He struck bronzes withApollo/tripod, a type introduced by his namesakeApollodotus I.
The coins of Apollodotus II are of different qualities. Some still have the realistic portraits characteristic of the earlier Indo-Greek coins, and Bopearachchi attributes these series to the western part of his kingdom. Others are badly struck and/or have clumsy and distorted portraits, and these Bopearachchi interprets as belonging to newly opened mints in eastern Punjab, presumably struck by Indian celators with little knowledge of Greek engraving skills.
On some of his coins there are both extra monograms in shape of Kharosthi letters. These monograms are interpreted, which was suggested already by W.W. Tarn, to have belonged to officials with Indian names. The coins therefore indicate that Apollodotus II relied more on his Indian subjects than earlier kings, and also opened new mints in eastern Punjab where Greek presence was scarce.
Apollodotus II overstruck a bronze ofMaues.[1]Zoilos II overstruck some of the coins of Apollodotus II, as didAzes I.
| Preceded by | Indo-Greek Ruler (inPunjab) 80 – 65 BC | Succeeded by Dionysios (in Eastern Punjab) |
| Succeeded by Hippostratos (in Western Punjab) |