|
After the death of Menander Soter, there was a long series of Indo-Greek rulers about whom our only evidence is
their coins. Zoilus I (also spelled Zoilos) appears to have been the first of these rulers. He may have been a rival of
Menander I late in the latter's reign, as there is one coin of Menander apparently overstruck on a coin of Zoilus.
Another sign that Zoilus was not Menander's natural successor is his adoption of Hercules as the deity depicted on his
coinage. Hercules had been featured on the coins of Euthydemus I, Demetrius I and Euthydemus II, so this could
indicate that Zoilus was a descendant of the Euthydemids, but in any case the rejection of Athena, who was Menander's
chosen deity, does suggest that Zoilus was not from Menander's house. In all probability, Strato I was Menander's natural
successor.
The coinage of Zoilus is not at all extensive, but is of high artistic quality. There is one known tetradrachm on the
Attic standard; it resides in the collection of the American Numismatic Society.
|
|
Zoilus I |
|
Zoilus I, Silver tetradrachm
Weight: 9.80 gm. Diameter: 25 mm Die axis: 12h
Diademed, bare-headed bust of king right, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔIKAIOY / ΖΩIΛOY
(Basileos Dikaiou Zoilou ... of King Zoilus, the just)
Nude Hercules standing facing, holding wreath in right hand,
club and lion skin in left, monogram at left,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa dhramikasa / jhoilasa
Reference: MIG 255a, Bop 2A
|
|
An interesting epigraphic detail on Zoilus's coins is how the celator has depicted the letter Z, a sound foreign
to Indian languages and therefore for which Kharoshthi had no representation. Here, the sound is depicted by the letter jha. (photo,
courtesy CNG)
|
|
Zoilus I, Silver drachm
Weight: 2.17 gm. Diameter: 16 mm Die axis: 12h
Diademed, bare-headed bust of king right, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔIKAIOY / ΖΩIΛOY
Nude Hercules standing facing, holding wreath in right hand,
club and lion skin in left, monogram at left,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa dhramikasa / jhoilasa
Reference: MIG 256b, Bop 3B
|
|
This coin has a truly stunning portrait.
|
|
Zoilus I, Silver drachm
Weight: 2.40 gm. Diameter: 17 mm Die axis: 12h
Diademed, bare-headed bust of king right, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔIKAIOY / ΖΩIΛOY
Nude Hercules standing facing, holding wreath in right hand,
club and lion skin in left, monogram at left,
Winged Nike standing on Hercules's left shoulder,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa dhramikasa / jhoilasa
Reference: MIG 257b, Bop 4A
|
|
Another stunning portrait! This coin differs from the previous one in two ways: the figure of Nike has been
added on the reverse, and the king's name on both sides of the coin is oriented in a straight line rather than the circular pattern of the previous coin.
Although Bopearachchi lists this coin as later than the previous one, the portrait seems to be of a younger man, which might suggest this was earlier.
That might also explain the figure of Nike, who is the goddess of victory. It is conceivable that Zoilos celebrated his seizure of power by military
victory in issuing this coin.
|
|
Zoilus I, Bronze Quadruple
Weight: 8.96 gm. Dimensions: 23 x 23 mm Die axis: 12h
Head of Hercules right, wearing lion head-dress,
Greek legend on three sides: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔIKAIOY / ΖΩIΛOY
Within a circular wreath ?, club and bow in its bowcase, monogram at right,
Kharoshthi legend on three sides: maharajasa dhramikasa / jhoilasa
Reference: MIG 258a, Bop 6A
|
|
This was Zoilus's only known bronze issue.
|
|
|