Editing Euthydemus I (section)

== Biography==
Euthydemus was an [[Ionian Greeks|Ionian-Greek]] from one of the Magnesias in [[Ionia]],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Tarn|first=William Woodthorpe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-HeJS3nE9cAC|title=The Greeks in Bactria and India|date=2010-06-24|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-108-00941-6|pages=74|language=en}}</ref> though it is uncertain from which one ([[Magnesia on the Maeander]] or [[Magnesia ad Sipylum]]), and was the father of [[Demetrius I of Bactria|Demetrius I]], according to [[Strabo]] and [[Polybius]].<ref>Strabo, Geography 11.11.1</ref><ref name="polybius">[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Plb.+11.34 Polybius 11.34 Siege of Bactra]</ref>{{sfn|Glenn|2020|pp=6, 41-42}} [[William Woodthorpe Tarn]] proposed that Euthydemus was the son of a Greek general called Antimachus or Apollodotus, born c. 295 BC, whom he considered to be the son of [[Sophytes#Sophytes the satrap|Sophytes]], and that he married a sister of the [[Greco-Bactrian Kingdom|Greco-Bactrian]] king [[Diodotus II]].<ref name=T73>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-HeJS3nE9cAC&q=Diodotus|title=The Greeks in Bactria and India|last=Tarn|first=William Woodthorpe|date=2010-06-24|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781108009416|pages=73|language=en}}</ref>

===War with the Seleucid Empire===
[[File:BactriaMap.jpg|thumb|300px|Map of [[Bactria]] during the [[Hellenistic Age]]]]
Little is known of his reign until 208 BC when he was attacked by [[Antiochus III the Great]], whom he tried in vain to resist on the shores of the river [[Hari River, Afghanistan|Arius]] ([[Battle of the Arius]]), the modern Harirud. Although he commanded 10,000 horsemen, Euthydemus initially lost a battle on the Arius <ref name="polybius"/> and had to retreat. He then successfully resisted a [[Siege of Bactra|three-year siege]] in the fortified city of [[Bactra]], before Antiochus finally decided to recognize the new ruler, and to offer one of his daughters to Euthydemus's son Demetrius around 206 BC.<ref name="polybius" /> As part of the peace treaty, Antiochus was given [[Indian elephant|Indian]] [[war elephants]] by Euthydemus.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Polybius/11*.html#39|title=Histories|last=Polybius|quote=adding to his own the elephants belonging to Euthydemus.}}</ref>

{{quote|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. (...) finally Euthydemus sent off his son Demetrius to ratify the agreement. Antiochus, on receiving the young man and judging him from his appearance, conversation, and dignity of bearing to be worthy of royal rank, in the first place promised to give him one of his daughters in marriage and next gave permission to his father to style himself king|[[Polybius]], 11.34, 2 [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Polybius/11*.html]}}

Polybius also relates that Euthydemus negotiated peace with Antiochus III by suggesting that he deserved credit for overthrowing the descendants of the original rebel Diodotus, and that he was protecting Central Asia from nomadic invasions thanks to his defensive efforts.

The war lasted altogether three years and after the Seleucid army left, the kingdom seems to have recovered quickly from the assault. The death of Euthydemus has been roughly estimated to 200 BC or perhaps 195 BC. He was succeeded by Demetrius, who went on to invade northwestern regions of [[South Asia]].

===Activities on the Central Asian Steppe===
Polybius claims that Euthydemus justified his kingship during his peace negotiations with Antiochus III in 206 BC by reference to the threat of attack by nomads on the [[Central Asia]]n [[steppe]]:
:"...[he said that] if [Antiochus] did not yield to this demand, neither of them would be safe: seeing that great hoards of Nomads were close at hand, who were a danger to both; and that if they admitted them into the country, it would certainly be utterly barbarised." ([[Polybius]], [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Plb.+11.34 11.34]).
Archaeological evidence from coin finds shows that Euthydemus' reign saw extensive activity at fortresses in northwestern Bactria (the modern [[Surkhan Darya]] region of [[Uzbekistan]]), especially in the [[Gissar Range|Gissar]] and [[Köýtendag Range|Köýtendag mountains]]. The Seleucid fortress at [[Uzundara]] was expanded and large numbers of Euthydemus' bronze coins have been found there, as was as hundreds of arrowheads and other remains indicating a violent assault.{{sfn|Stančo|2021|p=262-264}} Coin finds also seem to indicate that Euthydemus was responsible for the first construction of the Derbent Wall, otherwise known as the "[[Iron Gate (Central Asia)|Iron Gate]]", a 1.6-1.7 km long stone wall with towers and a central fortress guarding a key pass.{{sfn|Stančo|2021|p=264-265}} Landislav Stančo tentatively links the archaeological evidence with the nomad threat.{{sfn|Stančo|2021|p=262}} However, Stančo also notes that Derbent wall seems to have been designed not to defend against an attack from Sogdia to the northwest, but from Bactria to the southeast. Hundreds of arrowheads also seem to indicate an attack on the wall from the southeast. Stančo proposes that Euthydemus was originally based in Sogdia and built the fortifications to protect himself from Bactria, before seizing control of the latter.{{sfn|Stančo|2021|p=265-266}} Lucas Christopoulos goes further, proposing that he controlled a large area going from Sogdiana to [[Gansu]] and the [[Tarim Basin|Tarim basin]] walled cities together with enrolled Hellenized [[Saka]] horsemen even before he ascended the throne of Bactria in 250-230 BC.<ref>Lucas, Christopoulos; Dionysian rituals and the Golden Zeus of China http://www.sino-platonic.org/complete/spp326_dionysian_rituals_china.pdf pp.75-118 </ref>

===Kuliab inscription===
[[File:Heliodotos inscription, Kuliab.jpg|thumb|300px|Section of the Kuliab inscription written in Greek]]
In an inscription found in the [[Kulab, Tajikistan|Kuliab]] area of [[Tajikistan]], northeastern Greco-Bactria, and dated to 200-195 BC,{{sfn|Wallace|2016|p=206}} a Greek by the name of Heliodotus, dedicating an altar to [[Hestia]], mentions Euthydemus as the greatest of all kings, and his son Demetrius I:{{sfn|Bopearachchi|2007|p=48}}
:This fragrant altar to you, Hestia, most honoured among the gods, Heliodotus established in the grove of [[Zeus]] with its fair trees, furnishing it with libations and burnt-offerings, so that you may graciously preserve free from care, together with divine [[Tyche|good fortune]], Euthydemus, greatest of all kings and his outstanding son Demetrius, renowned for fine victories.{{Sfn|Glenn|2020|p=8}}<ref>[http://www.attalus.org/docs/seg/s54_1569.html Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum: 54.1569]</ref>
This is a further indication, alongside the passages from Polybius, that Euthydemus had made his son Demetrius a junior partner in his rule during his lifetime. The reference to Demetrius as a "glorious conqueror" might refer to a specific victory, in the conflict with Antiochus III{{sfn|Bopearachchi|2011|p=47}} or in India, or look forward to future victories.{{sfn|Glenn|2020|p=8}}