Zeionises

Zeionises (Greek: Ζειονίσης Zeionísēs, ΖΕΙΟΝΙϹΟΥ Zeionisou (epigraphic); Kharosthi: 𐨗𐨁𐨱𐨂𐨣𐨁𐨀 Ji-hu-ni-a, Jihunia,^[1] 𐨗𐨁𐨱𐨆𐨞𐨁𐨐 Ji-ho-ṇi-ka, Jihoṇika;^[2]) was an Indo-Scythian satrap.

Name

Zeionises's name appears on his coins in the Greek form Zeionísēs (Ζειονίσης) and the Kharosthi form Jihunia (𐨗𐨁𐨱𐨂𐨣𐨁𐨀),^[1] and on a silver vase from Taxila in the Kharosthi form Jihoṇika (𐨗𐨁𐨱𐨆𐨞𐨁𐨐),^[2] which are derived from Saka name *Jihonyaka, meaning "benefactor"^[3]

Reign

Zeionises was a satrap of the area of southern Chach for King Azes II.

He then became king, and ruled in parts of the Indian subcontinent around 10 BCE – 10 CE, but apparently lost his territory to the invasion of the Indo-Parthians.

His coins bear the Buddhist Triratna symbol on the obverse, and adopt representations of Greek divinities such as the city goddess Tyche.

A silver jug found at Taxila indicates that Zeionises was the "satrap of Chuksa, son of Manigula, brother of the great king", but who this king was remains uncertain.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b Gardner, Percy (1886). The Coins of the Greek and Scythic Kings of Bactria and India in the British Museum. London: Gilbert & Rivington Ltd. pp. 110-111. ISBN 978-0-900-83452-3.
^ ^a ^b ^c Konow, Sten (1929). Kharoshṭhī Inscriptions: with the Exception of Those of Aśoka. Kolkata: Government of India Central Publication Branch. p. 82, PLATE XVI.
^ Harmatta, János (1999). "Languages and scripts in Graeco-Bactria and the Saka Kingdoms". In Harmatta, János; Puri, B. N.; Etemadi, G. F. (eds.). History of civilizations of Central Asia. Vol. 2. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House. p. 410. ISBN 978-8-120-81408-0.

Sources

"The Shape of Ancient Thought. Comparative studies in Greek and Indian Philosophies" by Thomas McEvilley (Allworth Press and the School of Visual Arts, 2002) ISBN 1-58115-203-5
"The Greeks in Bactria and India", W.W. Tarn, Cambridge University Press.