---
title: Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
author: Antoine Simonin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Greco-Bactria/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
_Authored by [Antoine Simonin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/Deathfinger/)_
The Greco-Bactrian kingdom refers to several dynasties and probably kingdoms of Greco-Macedonian monarchs who ruled over [Bactria](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bactria/) from 250 to 130 BCE.
### Foundation
The Greco-Bactrian kingdom appeared in 250 BCE, when the [satrap](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persian_Governor/) [Diodotos](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/diodotos/) (or Theodotus in Latin) rebelled against his [Seleucid](https://www.worldhistory.org/Seleucid_Empire/) ruler, [Antiochos](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/antiochos/) II, knowing that Antiochus was occupied struggling against the Ptolemies in the west. At first Diodotos and his son Diodotos II conquered many territories southward in Ariana, restricting their conquests to Bactria. However around 230 BCE, a local ruler named Euthydemos, maybe linked to the Seleucids, overthrew the Diodotids and created his own dynasty, extending his territory northward into [Sogdiana](https://www.worldhistory.org/sogdiana/) and Ferghana. In 210 BCE, the Seleucid Antiochos III fought victoriously against Euthydemos, forcing him to retreat, which led to a three-year siege of Bactra. This endless siege and the threat of the northern nomads forced Antiochos III to negotiate: He recognized Euthydemos as king and gave him one of his daughters in exchange of supplies and [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) elephants.
### Expansion
Having the west front secured, the Greco-Bactrian kings waged war against their eastward neighbors, taking advantage of the decline of the Mauryan dynasty. In less than 20 years, under Demetrios and his descendants, they took the Paropamisadaes, Arachosia, [Gandhara](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gandhara_Civilization/) and Western Punjab. At the same time the central power was divided between several kings which seemed not be always in good terms. Some of them ruled only eastward of the Hindukush, being the first [Indo-Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/Indo-Greek/) kings.
### [Eucratides](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Eucratides/) Takes Power
In 171 BCE Eucratides, who may also have been linked to the Seleucids, overthrew the Greco-Bactrian king and waged war against the Indo-[Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) kings. He was successful at first until an [Euthydemid](https://www.worldhistory.org/euthydemid/) called Menander forced him to retreat west of the [Hindu](https://www.worldhistory.org/hinduism/)-[Kush](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kush/) in Bactria. This marked the beginning of the rivalry between the Euthydemid and the [Eucratid](https://www.worldhistory.org/eucratid/) dynasties, which lasted for a long time. This rivalry weakened the Greco-Bactrian kingdom: Sogdiana was soon lost, and Eucratides was forced to abandon western Bactria to Parthian kings. In 145 BCE, Eucratides was murdered by his own son, which led a period of politic instability resulting in the overthrow of the last Indo-Greek king, Heliokles, in 130 BCE by the Yuezhei nomads.
[  Antimachus I Tetradrachm Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/840/antimachus-i-tetradrachm/ "Antimachus I Tetradrachm")### Contact with Other Cultures
The Greco-Bactrian kingdom had a unique place in the Greek imagination, being a [Hellenistic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenic_World/) kingdom at the border of the known world. This kingdom had frequent contacts with Indian and nomad neighbors, and possibly also the Chinese, which is evident in the spread of their goods and coins. The Greco-Bactrian art was known to be one of the finest at this time, as the statues found at Ostobora (modern Aï Khanoum) and Bactra attest, and their coins were of particularly high quality. This originality was not lost with the fall of the last Greco-Bactrian king, because some continuations of Greco-Bactrian art is evident in their Yuezhei and Koushan successors.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## About the Author
Passionate about ancient Central Asia. Maintains the website From Bactria to Taxila. Works in the Europa Barbarorum project.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoine-simonin/52/685/a9a/e)
## Timeline
- **250 BCE**: Former [satrap](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persian_Governor/) [Diodotos](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/diodotos/) rebels against [Seleucid](https://www.worldhistory.org/Seleucid_Empire/) king [Antiochos](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/antiochos/) I, creating the [Greco-Bactrian kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greco-Bactria/).
- **c. 230 BCE**: [Diodotos](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/diodotos/) II is overthrown by Euthydemos. Beginning of the [Euthydemid](https://www.worldhistory.org/euthydemid/) dynasty.
- **208 BCE**: [Seleucid](https://www.worldhistory.org/Seleucid_Empire/) king [Antiochos](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/antiochos/) III wins the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of the Arius river against Euthydemos.
- **208 BCE - 206 BCE**: Siege of Bactra by [Antiochos](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/antiochos/) III.
- **206 BCE**: Recognition of the [Greco-Bactrian kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greco-Bactria/) and [Euthydemid](https://www.worldhistory.org/euthydemid/) dynasty by [Antiochos](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/antiochos/) III.
- **c. 200 BCE**: Beginning of the Greco-Bactrian conquests in [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/).
- **c. 190 BCE**: First appearance of multiple [Euthydemid](https://www.worldhistory.org/euthydemid/) kings at the same time. Beginning of the [Indo-Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/Indo-Greek/) kingdoms.
- **186 BCE**: Demetrios wins a decisive [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) in [Gandhara](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gandhara_Civilization/), beginning the Yona (or [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) era) in [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/).
- **171 BCE**: In odrer to show the break of dynasty, [Eucratides](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Eucratides/) begin a new Yona (or [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/)) era.
- **c. 171 BCE**: [Eucratides](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Eucratides/) begins his uprising against Greco-Bactrian king Demetrios II.
- **c. 155 BCE**: The [Euthydemid](https://www.worldhistory.org/euthydemid/) Menander succeeds to push back the Eucratids westward of the [Hindu](https://www.worldhistory.org/hinduism/)-[Kush](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kush/).
- **145 BCE**: Murder of [Eucratides](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Eucratides/) by his son. Weakening of the [Greco-Bactrian kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greco-Bactria/).
- **c. 130 BCE**: The Yuezhei take control of [Bactria](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bactria/).
## External Links
- [List of Rulers of the Ancient Greek World | Lists of Rulers | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/gkru/hd_gkru.htm)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Simonin, A. (2011, April 28). Greco-Bactrian Kingdom. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Simonin, Antoine. "Greco-Bactrian Kingdom." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 28, 2011. .
### MLA
Simonin, Antoine. "Greco-Bactrian Kingdom." *World History Encyclopedia*, 28 Apr 2011, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Antoine Simonin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/Deathfinger/ "User Page: Antoine Simonin"), published on 28 April 2011. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.