Abhiraka (Greek: ''AYBIPAKOY'',
Brahmi: 𑀅𑀪𑀺ð‘€ð‘€“ ''Abhiraka''), also Aubheraka, Aubhirakes, or formerly Aghudaka, was an
Indo-Scythian king and a member of the Kshaharata dynasty of the
Western Satraps circa 30 CE. He was the father of
Bhumaka, and the grandfather of
Nahapana.
He is known through his coins, which are found in the northern Pakistan area of
Chukhsa, and then later in the south, suggesting a southern migration at some point, possibly in search for trade. His coins have been found in
Afghanistan and as far as
Arab states of the Persian Gulf
The Arab states of the Persian Gulf refers to a group of Arab states which border the Persian Gulf. There are seven member states of the Arab League in the region: Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. ...
.
The coinage, reminiscent of the coinage of the
Indo-Greeks, has on the obverse a winged
Nike with Greek legend "CATRAPATOY CATRAÎ OY AYBIPAKOY" ("Abhiraka, Satrap of the Satraps"), and the reverse shows a lion or a horse facing a wheel, with Brahmi or Kharoshthi legend around ''Khaharatasa Khatrapasa Abhirakasa jayatasa Abhirakasa" ("The Khsaharata Satrap Abhiraka, victory to Abhiraka").
"Abhiraka" may also mean "member of the tribe of the
Abhiras", and a connection between "Abhiraka" and the tribe of the Abhiras has also been proposed.
Notes
References
* R.C. Senior, "Indo-Scythian coins and history", Volume IV.
1st-century monarchs in Asia
1st-century Iranian people
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