SURKHANDARYA AS THE CRADLE OF GREAT CIVILIZATION: ANALYSIS OF MYTHOLOGICAL IMAGES DEPICTED ON GRECO-BACTRIAN AND KUSHAN COINS

Abstract

This article provides a clear and accessible analysis of mythological figures depicted on coins from the Greco-Bactrian and Kushan periods. The study demonstrates that ancient coins were not merely a means of exchange, but also an important historical source reflecting the religious beliefs, cultural interactions, and political ideas of their time. Greco-Bactrian coins predominantly feature deities from Greek mythology, which were used to strengthen and legitimize royal authority through divine association. In Kushan coinage, however, deities belonging to various cultural and religious traditions appear together. The article compares the coinage of these two states and highlights their similarities and differences.