Maues
Maues ( on coins delivered as a genitive ΜΑΥΟΥ Mauou in Kharoshthi as moasa ) was an Indo - Scythian king who (according to other studies 85-60 BC) reigned around 120-85 BC.
To 145 BC invaded peoples, referred to by ancient sources as the Scythians in Bactria (in the north of modern Afghanistan ) and India. They destroyed the Greco- Bactrian Kingdom, representing a threat to the Indo- Greek Kingdom (in the north of present-day Pakistan ) dar. After a few decades it came to start their own empire. Maues regarded as the founder and the most important rulers of the Indo- Scythian dynasty.
Dating
The exact chronology of Maues is not certain, but it seems the first quarter of the first century BC, most likely. There are some dated inscriptions that mention Maues. From Taxila a copper plate is from a certain Patika, the Buddha relics concerns. This inscription is in one years 78, dated the 5th day of the Macedonian month Panemos and calls the Great King, the great Moga. The date is problematic because it is not sure to what era it covers. Often it is assumed that it is a company that Maues era, however, is attested only here. The identification of Maues ( in Greek inscriptions ) with the Moga inscription on the copper plate ( in Kharoshthi ) in research is not entirely uncontroversial. Other dated inscriptions of Maues call the year numbers 58, 60 and 68 Maues about the coins coined some other rulers. Here are before all the coins of the Indo - Greek king Apollodotos II mentioned, which was probably the predecessor of Maues in Taxila.
Rule and family
The takeover of Maues has not yet been clarified with absolute certainty. The localities and mints its coins give at least an indication of his territory, the Hazara, Kashmir, Gandhara with its capital Taxila and parts of Afghanistan included. He is also attested by an inscription at Chilas (Gilgit -Baltistan, in the north of Pakistan). This inscription also mentions the satraps Ghoshamitra. A second inscription names the ruler in connection with the construction of a building and called the satraps Sidhalaka. It can be assumed that he conquered parts of the Indo- Greek kingdom, and an aggressive policy of conquest led. However, the events remain largely in the dark. Reconstructions are based largely on coins.
After the coinage of Taxila may have been its capital. The title of King of kings he took, perhaps directly by the Parthians. The title is attested to his later coinage. It has therefore also been suggested that he was the Parthian origin. Names and deities ( mostly Greek ) on the coins indicate a marriage policy of the Indo- Greeks. Thus appears on some coins, a woman by the name Machene that may came from Taxila. Their position is controversial, mostly it is regarded as the wife of Maues, others see her as his mother. King Artemidoros referred to some coins, the son of Maues. He may have been either a biological son or a vassal. Before these imprints of Artemidorus were known, the latter has been generally regarded as the Indo- Greek king.
The coins of Maues
The coins of Maues never show the head of the ruler, but are based in general on the Indo- Greek issues, such as the Apollodotos II On the back there are legends in Kharoshthi while the front pages bear Greek inscriptions.
From the area of Hazara and Kashmir coins come with a city goddess on one side and Zeus on the other side. From Kashmir also coins date showing the ruler on a horse or not Greek deities.
From Taxila come coinage of silver, the Zeus and Nike show. Appear animals, such as bulls and elephants, as well as Greek deities on bronze coins. Here, copies of the imprints of Demetrius I have been issued.
In the Northwest region, there are silver issues with Artemis and a chariot with Zeus. Some drachmas are square and show Zeus, Nike or a lunar deity. Finally, there are embossed with designs that were interpreted as a Buddhist. Here may be mentioned especially coins with a seated figure that is similar to the later representations of the Buddha. As unique legends missing, but this interpretation is uncertain.