BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣOTHΡOΣ EΡMAIOΥ, bust of Zeus-Mithra right, wearing radiate Phrygian cap // Kharoshti legend, Horse right; monogram below. 21mmx18mm, 8.18 grams. Unknown mint, struck ca.105-90 BC Bopearachchi Série 9; HGC 12, 297. SKU x206-w58269

Scarce

The last king of the western Indo-Greek realm, Hermaios had a long and eventful reign in the course of which his fortunes fluctuated considerably. In the early stages, when his wife Kalliope seems to have shared his throne, Hermaios pursued an aggressive foreign policy and re-conquered some territories which his predecessors had lost. However, his success was only transitory and the Indo-Greeks found themselves surrounded by powerful enemies. Eventually Hermaios was defeated by the Kushan ruler Kujula Kadphises, bringing to an end more than three centuries of Greek dominion in the area.