Indo-Greek - AR Drachm Of Hermaios And Calliope

India, Indo Greek kingdom
Hermaios & (wife?) Callope, c. 90-90-70 BC
Jugate diademed busts of king and queen right, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ EPMAIOY / KAI KAΛΛIOΠHΣ
(Basileos Soteros Hermaiou kai Callioes ... of King and Saviour Hermaios and Calliope)
Helmeted King mounted on horse prancing right,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa tratarasa heramayasa / kaliyapaya
Reference: MIG 408b, Bop 2B

Ex. Coinindia




Hermaios was one of the last Indo-Greek kings of any real consequence, as evidenced by his coinage; widely imitated and the third most common type after Apollodotus II and Menander. Sadly, almost nothing is known of his life.

These very early coins show his portrait jugate with Calliope, believed to be his wife. Interestingly, her name is located where the king's name would be traditionally (beneath the portrait, written counterclockwise) which some interpret as meaning that Hermaios was not of noble blood and had to rule through her until her death. Hermaios continued the horse rider type for a time after Calliope, but the figure riding seems to have been replaced with his late wife.