Cheiroukes Explained

Cheiroukes
XEIPOΥKOΣ
Satrap of Marsakes
Reign:circa 50 BCE

Cheiroukes (XEIPOΥKOΣ, ruled circa 50 BCE), was probably the governor of the Arsacid provinces of Sakastan and Arachosia. On his coinage, he presents himself as "Satrap" (CATPAΠOΣ) of the region of "Mazakes" (MAPΣAKOΣ), which covers the eastern provinces of the Arsacid Empire, which came to include Sakastan.

Cheiroukes might have been of Parthian, or perhaps of Saka origin. The Parthian Empire had been ruling the region of Sakastan since the victory of Mithridates II (124–88 BCE) over the Sakas, and these "Satraps" governed in the area until the establishment of the dynasty of Gondophares (19-46 CE).

Cheiroukes minted coins with his portrait. He was probably one of the Arsacid governors of the area, with others such as Tanlis Mardates, before the rise of the dynasty of the Indo-Parthian ruler Gondophares .

A seal with the inscription "MAPΣAKOY" is otherwise known.[1]

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Book: Rosenfield . John M. . The Dynasty Arts of the Kushans . 1967 . University of California Press . en. 1, pl. XVI, 2.