Greco-Bactrian Kingdom

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom was a state in Transoxiana and Khwarazm (Central and North Asia) that lasted from c. 256 to 125 BCE, about 131 years. Its people spoke Greek languages (Mycenaean, Classical, Hellenistic, Byzantine, modern Greek).

A Greek kingdom founded when the satrap Diodotus broke away from the Seleucids. Euthydemus held off a Seleucid siege of Bactra, and the Yuezhi and Saka overran the kingdom around 130 BCE.

See Greco-Bactrian Kingdom on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 256 to 125 BCE
Duration: 131 years
Type: State
Region: Transoxiana and Khwarazm, Central and North Asia
Language family: Greek
Capital: Bactra, Ai-Khanoum

Came from

Bactria (Achaemenid satrapy) c. 545 to 330 BCE

Events in Central and North Asia during its time

138 BCE Zhang Qian travels west

Neighbours in Central and North Asia

Xiongnu Empire c. 209 BCE to 93 CE
Sogdiana c. 545 BCE to 722 CE
Kingdom of Khotan c. 200 BCE to 1006 CE
Ancient Chorasmia c. 600 BCE to 305 CE
Kangju c. 200 BCE to 450 CE
Jushi kingdom c. 200 BCE to 450 CE
Loulan (Shanshan) c. 176 BCE to 445 CE
Wusun c. 160 BCE to 450 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Carthage c. 814 to 146 BCE, North and West Africa
Roman Republic 509 to 27 BCE, Europe
Parthian Empire 247 BCE to 224 CE, Middle East
Ptolemaic Kingdom 305 to 30 BCE, North and West Africa
Western Han 202 BCE to 9 CE, East Asia
Maurya Empire 322 to 185 BCE, South Asia
Qin dynasty 221 to 206 BCE, East Asia

Questions

When did Greco-Bactrian Kingdom exist?

c. 256 to 125 BCE, about 131 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Greco-Bactrian Kingdom?

Transoxiana and Khwarazm, in Central and North Asia. Its capital was Bactra, Ai-Khanoum.

What language did Greco-Bactrian Kingdom speak?

Greek. This family includes Mycenaean, Classical, Hellenistic, Byzantine, modern Greek.

What came before Greco-Bactrian Kingdom?

Bactria (Achaemenid satrapy).