in the
Parthian style (Early-mid 1st century CE).
Obv King with Parthian-style tiara.
Rev BACILEYC BACIL(EWN M)EGAC YND-OFEPPhC OEPON MAZOM NOC CAh. Gondophares with Nike standing behind, crowning him. In the 1st century CE,
Phraotes, a Greek-speaking king of the city of
Taxila, was met by the philosopher
Apollonius of Tyana dated approximately to 46 CE, according to the
Life of Apollonius Tyana written by
Philostratus. The Gondophares who fits this date is Gondophares IV Sases, whose coinage has been dated to 40-78 AD. Apollionus describes the king as an Indian. They describe Phraotes' residence,
Taxila, as being the same size as
Nineveh, being walled like a Greek city whilst also being shaped with Narrow roads, and further describe
Phraotes kingdom as containing the old territory of
Porus. Following an exchange with the king,
Phraotes is reported to have subsidized both barbarians and neighboring states, with the objective of averting incursions into his kingdom.
Phraotes also recounts that his father, being the son of a king, had become an orphan from a young age. In accordance with Indian customs, two of his relatives assumed responsibility for his upbringing until they were killed by rebellious nobles during a ritualistic ceremony along the
Indus River. This event led to the usurpation of the throne, compelling Phraotes' father to seek refuge with the king situated beyond the
Hydaspes River, in modern-day
Punjab, a ruler esteemed greater than Phraotes' father. Moreover,
Phraotes states that his father, received an education facilitated by the
Brahmins upon request to the king and married the daughter of the
Hydaspian king, whilst having one son that was Phraotes himself. Phraotes proceeds to narrate the opportune moment he seized to reclaim his ancestral kingdom, sparked by a rebellion of the citizens of
Taxila against the usurpers. With fervent support from the populace, Phraotes led a triumphant entry into the residence of the usurpers, whilst the citizens brandished torches, swords, and bows in a display of unified resistance. == Family tree ==