I think this change was necessary to somehow delay the powerful development of the Graeco-Bactrians, and to portray the political situation of the area before Diodotus declared himself independent with some accuracy. Historically, it was not until the era of the invasions of Mithradates I of Parthia and Eucratides I of Bactria when we observe the supplaunting of the Seleucid hegemnoy in their eastern sector; This is where the Graeco-Bactrians got their brief triumph, but also one of their most devastating defeats, which of course was capitalized enormously by both Menander of the Indo-Greeks and by Mithradates of the Parthians.

This poorly documented stage of war, symbolized the political turbulence of the East, and would repeat itself for several centuries. This change does not imply Seleucid authority, au contraire, it implies a burden.

Reply