★ The joint rule of Agathokleia and Strato ★

BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Agathokleia & Strato I , circa 105-85/0 BC. AE (Bronze, 20 mm, 9.00 g, 12 h), Indian standard. BAΣIΛIΣΣHΣ ΘEOTPOΠOY AΓAΘOKΛEIAΣ Draped bust of Athena to right, wearing crested Boiotian helmet. Rev. 'Maharajasa tratarasa dhramikasa Stratasa' (in Karoshti) Herakles seated left on rock, holding club in right hand; to left, monogram. Bopearachchi 3A. HGC 12, 317. SNG ANS 983-985. Rare. Minor deposits and cleaning scratches , otherwise, about very fine.

The joint rule of Agathokleia and Strato is rather unusual in that there is an interesting development in the titles. In the beginning, Agathokleia appears to be the predominant figure: her title 'queen and nurse of the gods' appears in Greek, while Strato is referred to only in the local Karoshti script on the reverse of the coins. However, the relationship appears to have changed after some time, as on the dual portrait tetradrachms, Strato's bust is in the forefront while Agathokleia has lost her title 'queen and nurse of the gods'. Unfortunately, the only evidence we have for the rule of Agathokleia and Strato comes from the coins, so their relationship - were they mother and son, or married? - and its development remain unclear to us.