Hermaeus Soter or Hermaios Soter (epithet means "the Saviour") was a Western Indo-Greek king of the Eucratid Dynasty, who ruled the territory of Paropamisade in the Hindu-Kush region, with his capital in Alexandria of the Caucasus (near today's Kabul, Afghanistan). Bopearachchi dates Hermaeus to c. 90–70 BCE and R. C. Senior to c. 95–80 BCE.
Hermaeus seems to have been successor of Philoxenus or Diomedes. Judging from his coins, Hermaeus' rule was long and prosperous, but came to an end when the Yuezhi, coming from neighbouring Bactria, overran most of his Greek kingdom in the Paropamisade around 70 BCE. According to Bopearachchi, these nomads were the Yuezhi, the ancestors of the Kushans, whereas Senior considers them Sakas.
Hermaeus seems to have been successor of Philoxenus or Diomedes. Judging from his coins, Hermaeus' rule was long and prosperous, but came to an end when the Yuezhi, coming from neighbouring Bactria, overran most of his Greek kingdom in the Paropamisade around 70 BCE. According to Bopearachchi, these nomads were the Yuezhi, the ancestors of the Kushans, whereas Senior considers them Sakas.
Epithet: Soter (the Saviour)
(1)
Gondophares
|
Hermaios
An
AE
Tetradrachm
struck c. 30-10 BC
in
Taxila?
Obverse: diademed and draped bust of Hermaios right; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ / EPMAIOY
Reverse: Zeus seated half left, wearing himation, raised hand, holding scepter; Maharaajasa tratarasa Heramayasa (of Great King Hermaios the Savior)
Diameter:
22 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 9.6 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 9.6 g
No notes for this coin
Senior Hermaios 42aT.1, Mitchiner IGIS 421b, Mitchiner ACW 2045, SNG ANS 1430 ff., Bopearachchi series 20, HGC 12 308