Consolidation and rise of Menander I History of the Indo-Greek Kingdom

detail of asia in ptolemy world map. menander mons in center of map, @ east of indian subcontinent, beyond ganges, right above malaysian peninsula.

menander considered successful indo-greek king, , conqueror of vastest territory. finds of coins numerous , widespread of indo-greek kings. in antiquity, @ least 1st century ce, menander mons , or mountains of menander , came designate mountain chain @ extreme east of indian subcontinent, today s naga hills , arakan, indicated in ptolemy s world map of 1st century ce geographer ptolemy. menander remembered in buddhist literature, called milinda, , described in milinda panha convert buddhism: became arhat relics enshrined in manner reminiscent of buddha. introduced numismatic reforms, such issuing coins portraits, had hitherto been unknown in india. common coin reverse athena alkidemos ( protector of people ) became common type successors in east.

conquests east of punjab region made during second half of century king menander i, eastern conquests brief. following passage may allude return of menander home territories, perhaps due civil war competing king zoilos i, or nomad invasion of bactria:

yavanas, infatuated war, not remain in madhadesa (the middle country). there mutual agreement among them leave, due terrible , dreadful war having broken out in own realm.

following menander s reign, twenty indo-greek kings known have ruled in succession in eastern parts of indo-greek territory. upon death, menander succeeded infant son thraso, apparently murdered , further civil wars ensued. judging coins, many of later kings claimed descendance either euthydemids or menander, details remain uncertain due lack of sources.