Diodotus II

Updated on Sep 24, 2024

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Name Diodotus II Died 223 BC		Parents Diodotus I

Greco bactrian kings 2 diodotus ii

Diodotus II (Greek: Διόδοτος Β΄; c. 252 BC – c. 223 BC) was a Greco-Bactrian king from c. 239 BC, son of Diodotus I. He is known for concluding a peace treaty with the Parthian king Arsaces, in order to forestall the Seleucid reconquest of both Parthia and Bactria:

"Soon after, relieved by the death of Diodotus I, Arsaces made peace and concluded an alliance with his son, also by the name of Diodotus; some time later he fought against Seleucos who came to punish the rebels, but he prevailed: the Parthians celebrated this day as the one that marked the beginning of their freedom" (Justin, XLI,4 )

Diodotus II Greek coins Bactria Diodotus I Diodotus II Stater

Around 230 or 223 BC, Diodotus was killed by a usurper, his brother-in-law Euthydemus I, founder of the Greco-Bactrian Euthydemid dynasty:

For Euthydemus himself was a native of Magnesia, and he now, in defending himself to Teleas, said that Antiochus was not justified in attempting to deprive him of his kingdom, as he himself had never revolted against the king, but after others had revolted he had possessed himself of the throne of Bactria by destroying their descendants.... (Polybius, 11.34, 2 [1])

References

Diodotus II Wikipedia

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