Hippostratus | |
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![]() Portrait of Hippostratus | |
Indo-Greek king | |
Reign | 65–55 BCE |
Hippostratus (Ancient Greek:Ἱππόστρατος,romanized: Hippostratos, meaning "army of horses") was anIndo-Greek king who ruled central and north-westernPunjab andPushkalavati. Bopearachchi dates Hippostratus to 65 to 55 BCE whereas R. C. Senior suggests 60 to 50 BCE.
In Bopearachchi's reconstruction Hippostratus came to power as the successor toApollodotus II, in the western part of his kingdom, while the weakDionysius ascended to the throne in the eastern part. Senior assumes that the reigns of Apollodotus II and Hippostratos overlapped somewhat; in that case Hippostratus first ruled a kingdom situated to the west of Apollodotus' dominions.
Just like Apollodotus II, Hippostratus calls himselfSoter, "Saviour", on all his coins, and on some coins he also assumes the titleBasileos Megas, "Great King", which he inherited from Apollodotus II. This may support Senior's scenario that Hippostratus extended his kingdom after Apollodotus' death. The relationship between these two kings remains uncertain due to lack of sources. Hippostratos did not, however, use the symbol of standing Athena Alkidemos, which was common to all other kings thought to be related to Apollodotus II. The two kings share only one monogram.
The quantity and quality of the coinage of Hippostratus indicate a quite powerful king. Hippostratus seems to have fought rather successfully against theIndo-Scythian invaders, led by the Scythian kingAzes I, but was ultimately defeated and became the last western Indo-Greek king.
Hippostratus issued silver coins with a diademed portrait on the obverse, and three reverses. The first is the image of a king on prancing horse, a common type which was most frequently used by the earlier kingsAntimachus II andPhiloxenus. The second reverse also portrays a king on horseback, but the horse is walking and the king making a benediction gesture - this type resembles a rare type of Apollodotus II. The third is a standing goddess, perhapsTyche.
Hippostratus struck several bronzes of types used by several kings:
Azes I overstruck several of Hippostratus' coins.
Preceded by | Indo-Greek Ruler (inWestern Punjab) 65 – 55 BCE | Succeeded by |