Athena Alkidemos

2. Silver drachm of Menander I(155-130 BC).
Obv: Greek legend, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ (BASILEOS SOTEROS MENANDROU) lit. "Of Saviour King Menander".
Rev: Kharosthi legend: MAHARAJA TRATASA MENADRASA "Saviour King Menander". Athena Alkidemos advancing right, with thunderbolt and shield. Menander I was the first Indo-Greek ruler to introduce the representation of Athena Alkidemos ("Athena, saviour of the people") on his coins ):

Athena Alkidemos or Alcidemus (defender of the people, demos) was the epithet of Athena, the city-goddess of Pella, Macedonia. A similar Macedonian epithet of Athena was Alcis. Athena Alkidemos with thunderbolt and shield (aegis) was a usual depiction in Hellenistic tetradrachms.

References

  • Coins of the Macedonians By Martin Price Page 27


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