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

References

1. Gardner, Percy (1886). The Coins of the Greek and Scythic Kings of Bactria and India in the British Museum. London: Gilbert & Rivington Ltd. pp. 110-111. ISBN 978-0-900-83452-3.
2. Konow, Sten (1929). Kharoshṭhī Inscriptions: with the Exception of Those of Aśoka. Kolkata: Government of India Central Publication Branch. p. 82, PLATE XVI.
3. Harmatta, János (1999). "Languages and scripts in Graeco-Bactria and the Saka Kingdoms". In Harmatta, János; Puri, B. N.; Etemadi, G. F. (eds.). History of civilizations of Central Asia. Vol. 2. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House. p. 410. ISBN 978-8-120-81408-0.

Sources

• "The Shape of Ancient Thought. Comparative studies in Greek and Indian Philosophies" by Thomas McEvilley (Allworth Press and the School of Visual Arts, 2002) ISBN 1-58115-203-5
• "The Greeks in Bactria and India", W.W. Tarn, Cambridge University Press.

External links

• Coins of Zeionises
• Indo-Scythian chronology

Preceded by Azes II	Indo-Scythian Ruler (c. 10 BCE – 10 CE)	Succeeded by Indo-Scythian satrap Kharahostes Kushan King: Heraios