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.

Coin of Zeionises (c. 10 BCE – 10 CE).
Obv: King on horseback holding whip, with bow behind. Corrupted Greek legend MANNOLOU UIOU SATRAPY ZEIONISOU "Satrap Zeionises, son of Manigula". Buddhist Triratna symbol.
Rev: King on the left, receiving a crown from a city goddess holding a cornucopia. Kharoshthi legend MANIGULASA CHATRAPASA PUTRASA CHATRAPASA JIHUNIASA "Satrap Zeionises, son of Satrap Manigul". South Chach mint.

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]

Indo-Scythian Zeionises. Circa 45-35 to 5 BCE. Uncertain mint in Chukhsa (Chach)

See also

• Yuezhi
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
• Indo-Greek Kingdom
• Indo-Parthian Kingdom
• Kushan Empire