Demetrius I Aniketos (“the Invincible”) was a Greek king of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom who is known for creating the Indo-Greek state, coupled with his military renown. Demetrius inherited the easternmost Hellenistic kingdom which had originally been a province of the Seleucid Empire until circa 250 BCE, where after it struggled with independence, expansion, and usurpers. Demetrius, however, was ambitious and capable enough to invade India and successfully conquered most of the northwest Indian territory. Demetrius was undefeated in battle and was posthumously given the epithet Aniketos – “the Invincible”. Contemporaries and historians refer to Demetrius as the “second Alexander”.
Coin depicting Demetrius I Aniketos (the elephant scalp indicates his conquests in India)
The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom was a Hellenistic state that was created circa 256-246 BCE when the Seleucid governor Diodotus seceded his province (Bactria) from the Seleucid Empire. This independence movement was either before or after the death of King Antiochus II Theos (“the God”); the high-chronology suggests Antiochus was deprived of Bactria during his mid-reign, mostly theorized because Antiochus issued very few coins from Bactria. The low-chronology, however, suggests Diodotus claimed independence just after Antiochus’ death, whereas the following catastrophic Third Syrian War critically weakened the Seleucid Empire. In 246 BCE Pharaoh Ptolemy III Euergetes (“the Benefactor”) captured Antioch, the Seleucid capital, causing more eastern provinces to seceded, notably Andragoras, the governor of Parthia. Andragoras apparently conceived an alliance with Diodotus, both of them claiming to be independent kings. Though, the Parni tribe soon invaded and conquered Parthia, killing Andragoras in the process. This cut off Bactria from the rest of the Greek world, reducing overland trade, though sea trade between Bactria and the Ptolemaic Kingdom developed.
Diodotus I died circa 239 BCE, posthumously given the epithet Soter (“the Savior”). He was succeeded by his son Diodotus II, who had made peace with Arsaces I of Parthia in order to forestall the Seleucid reconquest of Parthia and Bactria. Circa 230 BCE Didotous was killed by the governor of Sogdiana and his brother-in-law, Euthydemus. Euthydemus, father of Demetrius, usurped the Greco-Bactrian throne, founding the Euthydemid dynasty. Not much is known about his reign except circa 209/208 BCE Euthydemus was attacked by the Seleucid King Antiochus III Megas (“the Great”), who had been on an anabasis of the east. After a two/three year siege of his capital Bactra, which caused great exhaustion for both Euthydemus and Antiochus, Euthydemus relented and accepted Antiochus as his overlord, obtaining an “honorable peace”. Demetrius was sent to Antiochus to conduct the peace negotiations. Antiochus was highly impressed with the demeanor of Demetrius, so much so that he offered the hand of his daughter to Demetrius. Polybius writes: “And after several journeys of Teleas to and fro between the two, Euthydemus at last sent his son Demetrius to confirm the terms of the treaty. Antiochus received the young prince; and judging from his appearance, conversation, and the dignity of his manners that he was worthy of royal power, he first promised to give him one of his own daughters, and secondly conceded the royal title to his father.” As Demetrius is referred to as a “young prince”, it suggested he is around 16 years-old, making his birthdate circa 222 BCE.
Euthydemus died circa 200 BCE (possibly 195 BCE) and was succeeded by Demetrius as king. Nothing is really known of Demetrius’ early reign, only that he was already recognized as a great conqueror, as the Kuliab inscription (dated 200-195 BCE) details: “Heliodotus dedicated this fragrant altar for Hestia, venerable goddess, illustrious amongst all, in the grove of Zeus, with beautiful trees; he made libations and sacrifices so that the greatest of all kings Euthydemus, as well as his son, the glorious, victorious and remarkable Demetrius, be preserved of all pains, with the help of Tyche with divine thoughts.” It is possible that during the last years of Euthydemus’ reign that the Greco-Bactrians made advancements into the Indian subcontinent. Demetrius is referred to as Demetrius Callinicus, meaning “Demetrius the Glorious Conqueror” or “Demetrius the Beautiful Victor”. In 180 BCE (or the earlier date of 185 BCE) Demetrius launched an invasion of northwestern India, as several years earlier the once powerful Mauryan Empire was dissolved after the victories of Indian general Pushyamitra Shunga, who founded the new Shunga Empire. The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom is considered to have been allies with the Muaryan Empire, though Demetrius’ invasion might have been to protect the Greeks of India.
Demetrius may have first recovered the province of Arachosia, south of the Hindu Kush. He then founded the city of Demetrias, said to have been within the dominion of the Parthians. The campaign is said to have gone as far as Pataliputra in eastern India, though this is generally attested to the efforts of the later Indo-Greek king Menander I Soter. It is theorized that Demetrius only invaded and conquered modern-day Pakistan, as accounts say he occupied a large part of the Indus Delta. Nevertheless, it is said Demetrius (along with the later Menander I) subjugated more Indian tribes than Alexander the Great had. With these conquests, Demetrius created the Indo-Greek Kingdom, which lasted for more than two centuries, albeit the legitimate rulers varied. Demetrius is speculated to have ruled in the city of Taxila, where many of his coins have been found. The Indo-Greeks ruled northwestern India, while the Shungas held dominion over central and eastern India.
The Indo-Greek Kingdom, circa 180 BCE
Demetrius was undefeated in his conquests, believed to have assumed the title “King of India” for his achievements south of the Hindu Kush. On his coins Demetrius is depicted wearing an elephant scalp headdress, in the same manner as Alexander is depicted on the coins of Ptolemy I Soter, a token of his victories in India. Demetrius is attributed to have initiated the Yavana era of India (Yavana being the Indian name for the Greeks). The culture and art of Greco-Buddhism is said to have flourished under Demetrius and the later Indo-Greek kings; Demetrius apparently practiced Buddhism along with his ancestral Greek polytheism. After 180 BCE nothing is known of Demetrius’ life, as he died of unknown reasons at an unknown time. The Indo-Greek Kingdom did not survive as one entity, as many rival usurpers and chieftains claimed specific territories and thus variant kingdoms emerged with their own dynasties, akin to the aftermath of Alexander’s death. The Indo-Greek king Agathocles Dikaios (“the Just”), a successor and possible son of Demetrius, minted coins bearing the effigy of Demetrius, posthumously qualifying him as Aniketos – “the Invincible”, a cult title which Alexander adorned.
Demetrius is regarded as a legend and enigma, for what we know about him stems from his military achievements and comparison to Alexander. Apparently of dignified character, Demetrius stands as a great conqueror who brought about a new era to the Indian subcontinent. And just like Alexander, none of Demetrius’ successors quite prospered like he did.
Recommended Reading:
The Greeks in Bactria and India, W. W. Tarn
Monnaies Gréco-Bactriennes et Indo-Grecques, Osmund Bopearachchi
The Histories, Polybius
Geographica, Strabo
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