| Philoxenus | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Philoxenus | |
| Indo-Greek king | |
| Reign | 100–95 BCE |
| Died | Mathura |

Philoxenus Anicetus (Greek:Φιλόξενος ὁ Ἀνίκητος,Philόxenos ho Aníkētos, meaning "Philoxenus the Invincible") was anIndo-Greek king who ruled in the region spanning theParopamisade toPunjab. Philoxenus seems to have been quite an important king who might briefly have ruled most of the Indo-Greek territory. Bopearachchi dates Philoxenus to c. 100–95 BCE and R. C. Senior to c. 125–110 BCE.
Historians have not yet connected Philoxenus with any dynasty, but he could have been the father of the princess Kalliope, who was married to the kingHermaeus.
Philoxenus struck several series of bilingual Indian silver coins, with areverse of a mounted king, a type previously used as obverse byAntimachus II about sixty years earlier and as reverse on rare types ofNicias. Whether the horseman was a dynastic emblem or a portrait of the king as a cavalryman is unclear. SeveralSaka kings used similar horsemen on their coinage.
Philoxenus means "lover of foreigners" or "hospitable" in Greek, and considering that his drachms were square, a feature that was rare among Indo-Greeks but standard for Sakas, this shows that Philoxenus had good connection and relations with the nomads that had conquered Bactria.
Philoxenus also minted some Attic-type tetradrachms (with Greek legend only), meant for circulation in Bactria. These coins show the king either bareheaded and wearing a diadem, or wearing crested helmets on the obverse. The reverse shows most likely the king himself in Hellenistic military uniform and riding a horse. This design also shows the king making a blessing gesture with his right hand.
Philoxenus also struck bronzes with female deity/bull, orHelios/Nike.
One overstrike is known, ofEpander over Philoxenus.
Philoxenus issued a variety of different coin standards, including some Attic coins, square Indian coins, and also circular bilingual coins with Greek and Kharosthi scripts.
| Preceded by | Indo-Greek Ruler (inParopamisadae,Arachosia, Gandhara,Punjab) 100 – 95 BC | Succeeded by |
| Succeeded by | ||
| Preceded by | Succeeded by |
This biography of a member of a Pakistani royal house is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
ThisAncient Greek royal biographical article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |