Heliocles II is thought to have been one of the latter Indo-Greek kings,whose reign is placed around year 100 BC, one of the successors to the first Heliocles I (ca 145-125 BC), son of Eucratides.

A relative of the western king Antialcidas?

Heliocles II seems to have been the successor of Strato I in Punjab - the two share several coinmarks. Still, the coins of Heliocles II are quite unlike those of the "Eastern" house to which Strato belonged; instead, he is more readily associated with the "Western" house of Eucratides I and Heliocles I. The portraits of the coins of the second Heliocles are very alike those of Antialcidas who seems to have been an important Western king.

This seemningly paradox might be explained as follows: In the years before 100 BC the eastern Indo-Greek kingdom was apparently shaken by the loss of the area of Mathura and its king Strato I disappears during this time. It is possible that Antialcidas used this turmoil to have his relative Heliocles II proclaimed as king in the eastern kingdom.

Preceded by: Strato I
Indo Greek Ruler (Gandhara and Punjab) (110-100 BC).
Succeeded by: Demetrius III

See also

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
Seleucid Empire
Greco-Buddhism
Indo-Scythians
Indo-Parthian Kingdom
Kushan Empire

References

• The Greeks in Bactria and India (Cambridge Library Collection - Classics) , W.W. Tarn,
• "The Coin types of the Indo-Greek Kings 256-54 BC", A.K. Narain