cover image

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom

Hellenistic-era Greek kingdom (256–100 BCE) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:

Can you list the top facts and stats about Greco-Bactrians?

Summarize this article for a 10 years old

SHOW ALL QUESTIONS

The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom or simply Greco-Bactria,[2][3][lower-alpha 1] was a Hellenistic-era Greek state,[4] and along with the Indo-Greek Kingdom, the easternmost part of the Hellenistic world in Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. It was founded in 256 BC by the Seleucid satrap Diodotus I Soter and lasted until its fall c.120 BC with some cities still controlled by Greek kings as Hermaeus Soter (90-70 BC) in what is today Kabul. It was ruled by the Diodotids and rival Euthydemid dynasty.

Quick facts: Greco-Bactrian KingdomΒάχλο (Bactrian) ,...
Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
Βάχλο (Bactrian)
256 BC–c. 120 BC
Approximate maximum extent of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom circa 170 BC, under the reign of Eucratides the Great, including the regions of Tapuria and Traxiane to the West, Sogdiana and Ferghana to the north, Bactria and Arachosia to the south.
Approximate maximum extent of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom circa 170 BC, under the reign of Eucratides the Great, including the regions of Tapuria and Traxiane to the West, Sogdiana and Ferghana to the north, Bactria and Arachosia to the south.
CapitalBactra
Ai-Khanoum
Common languagesKoine Greek (official)
Bactrian
Sogdian
Parthian
Religion
Hellenism
Zoroastrianism
Buddhism
Hinduism
Ancient Iranian religion
GovernmentMonarchy
Basileus 
 256–239 BC
Diodotus I (first)
 117–100 BC
Heliocles I (last)
Historical eraAntiquity
 Established
256 BC
 Disestablished
c. 120 BC
Area
184 BC[1]2,500,000 km2 (970,000 sq mi)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Blank.png Seleucid Empire
Indo-Greek Kingdom Blank.png
Parthian Empire Blank.png
Kushan Empire Blank.png
Close

It covered much of present-day Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, and some parts of Iran and Pakistan. An extention further East with military campaigns and settlements had most likely reached the borders of the Qin State in 230 BC.[5][6] The capitals of Ai-Khanum and Bactra were among the largest and richest cities of antiquity; indeed, Bactria was itself known as the land of a thousand golden cities. The Indo-Greek Kingdoms, as Bactrian successor states, would last until 10 AD.[7][8][9]