Greco-Bactrian Kingdom

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.
Capital	Bactra Ai-Khanoum
Common languages	Bactrian Greek Parthian Sanskrit (religion)[1] Sogdian
Religion	Hellenism Greco-Buddhism Zoroastrianism Hinduism Ancient Iranian religion
Government	Monarchy
Basileus
• 256–239 BC	Diodotus I (first)
• 117–100 BC	Heliocles I (last)
Historical era	Antiquity
• Established	256 BC
• Disestablished	c. 120 BC
Area
184 BC[2]	2,500,000 km2 (970,000 sq mi)
Preceded by Succeeded by Seleucid Empire Indo-Greek Kingdom Parthian Empire Kushan Empire

The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom or simply Greco-Bactria^[3][4][a] was a Hellenistic-era Greek state,^[5] 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 such as Hermaeus Soter (90-70 BC) in what is today Kabul. It was ruled by the Diodotid dynasty and the rival Euthydemid dynasty.

It covered much of present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, and some parts of Kazakhstan and Iran. An extension further east, with military campaigns and settlements, had most likely reached the borders of the Qin State in 230 BC.^[6][7] 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.^[8][9][10]

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