Zeionises
title: "Zeionises" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["indo-scythian-kings", "indo-scythian-satraps", "1st-century-bc-monarchs-in-asia", "1st-century-monarchs-in-asia", "1st-century-bc-iranian-people", "1st-century-iranian-people"] topic_path: "geography/iran" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeionises" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Indo-Scythian_Zeionises.Circa_45-35_to_5_BCE_Uncertain_mint_in_Chukhsa(Chach).jpg" caption="Chach]] mint."] ::
Zeionises (Greek: Ζειονίσης grc, ΖΕΙΟΝΙϹΟΥ grc (epigraphic); Kharosthi: 𐨗𐨁𐨱𐨂𐨣𐨁𐨀 pgd, pgd, 𐨗𐨁𐨱𐨆𐨞𐨁𐨐 pgd, pgd;) was an Indo-Scythian satrap.
Name
Zeionises's name appears on his coins in the Greek form grc (Ζειονίσης) and the Kharosthi form pgd (𐨗𐨁𐨱𐨂𐨣𐨁𐨀), and on a silver vase from Taxila in the Kharosthi form pgd (𐨗𐨁𐨱𐨆𐨞𐨁𐨐), which are derived from Saka name *Jihonyaka, meaning "benefactor"
Reign
Zeionises was a satrap of the area of southern Chach for King Azes II.
He then became king, and ruled in parts of the Indian subcontinent around 10 BCE – 10 CE, but apparently lost his territory to the invasion of the Indo-Parthians.
His coins bear the Buddhist Triratna symbol on the obverse, and adopt representations of Greek divinities such as the city goddess Tyche.
A silver jug found at Taxila indicates that Zeionises was the "satrap of Chuksa, son of Manigula, brother of the great king", but who this king was remains uncertain. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Indo-Scythian_Zeionises.Circa_45-35_to_5_BCE_Uncertain_mint_in_Chukhsa(Chach)_(2).jpg" caption="Chach]])"] ::
References
Sources
- "The Shape of Ancient Thought. Comparative studies in Greek and Indian Philosophies" by Thomas McEvilley (Allworth Press and the School of Visual Arts, 2002)
- "The Greeks in Bactria and India", W.W. Tarn, Cambridge University Press.
References
- Gardner, Percy. (1886). "The Coins of the Greek and Scythic Kings of Bactria and India in the British Museum". Gilbert & Rivington Ltd..
- Konow, Sten. (1929). "Kharoshṭhī Inscriptions: with the Exception of Those of Aśoka". Government of India Central Publication Branch.
- Harmatta, János. (1999). "History of civilizations of Central Asia". [[Motilal Banarsidass.
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