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Silver coin of a king named Demetrius [Source]
Obv: Diademed and draped bust right. Ends of the diadem straight.
Rev: Athena facing, holding spear in right hand, resting left on her shield. Greek legend BASILEOS DIMITRIOU "King Demetrius".

Silver coin of a king named Demetrius [Source]
Obv: Bust of king with kausia helmet. Greek legend BASILEOS ANIKITOU DIMITRIOU (Invincible king Demetrius).
Rev: Zeus with scepter and thunderbolt. Kharoshthi legend: MAHARAJASA APARAJITASA DIMETRIA (Invincible king Demetrius).

Demetrius II was probably a relative of the Bactrian king Demetrius and ruled the Indian dominions of the Greco-Bactrian empire for a short time.

History records keep only one reference to this second Demetrius; Roman historian Justin names a "D, king of the Indians", who beleaguered the warlike Bactrian king Eucratides the Great with an army of 60 000 men against the latters garrisson of 300, but still - according to the probably exaggerated account - eventually was defeated. This episode is referred to as occurring at the end of the reign of Eucratides, hence dating the death of Demetrius II around 150 BC.

Views are divided as for how to interpret the various coinage series bearing the name Demetrius. The upper coin shown was struck either by Demetrius I or II, whereas the nether has been said to belong to either of them or even a later king Demetrius III. This author notes the likeness of the nether portrait to kings Apollodotus I and Antimachus I and hence associates that coin with Demetrius II, who was a close successor of these kings and very likely belonged to the same dynasty, the house of Euthydemus I.

Preceded by:
Apollodotus I

Indo-Greek Ruler
(Paropamisadae, Arachosia, Gandhara, Punjab)
(c.155-150)

Succeeded by:
Menander I

See also