Indo-Skythians. Azes 58-12 BC. Drachm AR
Indo-Skythians. Azes 58-12 BC.
Drachm AR
16 mm, 2,23 g
BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY AZOY, King on horseback to right, raising his right hand and holding whip in his left; to right, Karoshti letter / Athena standing front, head to left, raising her right hand and holding shield in her left with spear behind; to left and right, monograms.
Good Very Fine
HGC 12, 651.
Azes I, an Indo-Scythian ruler, reigned from around 48/47 BC to 25 BC, establishing a dynastic empire in the Punjab and Indus Valley. He completed the dominance of the Scythians in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. His name appears as Azēs in Greek and Aya in Kharosthi, both derived from the Saka name *Aza, signifying "leader." Azes's legacy includes the introduction of the Azes era, a system of dating that endured. While it was traditionally thought to be initiated by his successors, an inscription from his reign suggests he may have begun it himself. Many historians previously dated the start of this era to 58 BC, correlating it with the Malwa or Vikrama era. However, new findings, like the Bajaur reliquary inscription, indicate a different timeline. This inscription hints at Azes's reign in relation to both the Greek era and his own, suggesting that the Azes era might have begun around 45 BC.
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Indo-Skythians. Azes 58-12 BC.
Drachm AR
16 mm, 2,23 g
BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY AZOY, King on horseback to right, raising his right hand and holding whip in his left; to right, Karoshti letter / Athena standing front, head to left, raising her right hand and holding shield in her left with spear behind; to left and right, monograms.
Good Very Fine
HGC 12, 651.
Azes I, an Indo-Scythian ruler, reigned from around 48/47 BC to 25 BC, establishing a dynastic empire in the Punjab and Indus Valley. He completed the dominance of the Scythians in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. His name appears as Azēs in Greek and Aya in Kharosthi, both derived from the Saka name *Aza, signifying "leader." Azes's legacy includes the introduction of the Azes era, a system of dating that endured. While it was traditionally thought to be initiated by his successors, an inscription from his reign suggests he may have begun it himself. Many historians previously dated the start of this era to 58 BC, correlating it with the Malwa or Vikrama era. However, new findings, like the Bajaur reliquary inscription, indicate a different timeline. This inscription hints at Azes's reign in relation to both the Greek era and his own, suggesting that the Azes era might have begun around 45 BC.
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