Gondophares | |
---|---|
King of Kings | |
Indo-Parthian king | |
Reign | c. 19 – c. 46 |
Predecessor | Tanlis Mardates[1] |
Successor | Orthagnes (Drangiana and Arachosia) Abdagases I (Gandhara) |
Died | 46 |
Religion | Christianity |
Gondophares I (Greek: Γονδοφαρης Gondopharēs, Υνδοφερρης Hyndopherrēs; Kharosthi: 𐨒𐨂𐨡𐨥𐨪 Gu-da-pha-ra, Gudaphara;[2] 𐨒𐨂𐨡𐨥𐨪𐨿𐨣 Gu-da-pha-rna, Gudapharna;[3][4] 𐨒𐨂𐨡𐨂𐨵𐨪 Gu-du-vha-ra, Guduvhara[5]) was the founder of the Indo-Parthian Kingdom and its most prominent king, ruling from 19 to 46. He probably belonged to a line of local princes who had governed the Parthian province of Drangiana since its disruption by the Indo-Scythians in c. 129 BC, and may have been a member of the House of Suren. During his reign, his kingdom became independent from Parthian authority and was transformed into an empire, which encompassed Drangiana, Arachosia, and Gandhara.[6] He is generally known from the Acts of Thomas, the Takht-i-Bahi inscription, and silver and copper coins bearing his visage.
He was succeeded in Drangiana and Arachosia by Orthagnes, and in Gandhara by his nephew Abdagases I.[7][8]