Indo-Greek and Indo-Scythian coins (200 BC-20 AD) bronze 58-35 avant J.-C. Large tetradrachm, Azes I (c.58-35 BC), Taxila?, Indo-Scythian Kingdom

Humped bull standing right, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY AZOY // lion or leopard standing right, Kharoshthi legend on 3 sides: maharajasa rajatirajasa mahatasa ayasa. 28mm, 12.74 grams. Whitehead 257ff; BMC 138ff.

Azes I (c. 58–35 BCE) was one of the most important Indo-Scythian kings, ruling a substantial kingdom in northwestern South Asia after the decline of Indo-Greek power. His territories probably included much of Gandhara, Taxila, the Punjab and parts of the Indus valley, although their precise extent changed during his reign. His prolific bilingual coinage, with Greek and Kharoṣṭhī legends, commonly depicts the king on horseback and Greek or Indian deities on the reverse, reflecting the cultural mixture of his kingdom. Azes traditionally has also been associated with the establishment of the Azes Era, once dated to 58/57 BCE, although both that identification and the traditional distinction between Azes I and Azes II remain subjects of scholarly debate.

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