| Reign: | 3rd century BC |
Sophagasenos, also spelt Sophagasenus or Sophagasenas[1] (Sanskrit: Subhagasena), was a local Indian king ruling in Kabul and Kapisa valley (Paropamisade of the classical writings) during the last decade of 3rd century BCE. Sophagasenus finds reference only in "The Histories" of Polybius.
Sophagasenus is probably derived from the name Shubhagasena.
Polybius, the Greek historian, makes reference to Sophagasenus in context with Antiochus III’s expedition across the Caucasus Indicus (Hindu Kush) in around 206 BCE. Having crossed the Caucasus Mountains, Antiochus moved up to Kabul and met Sophagasenus the Indian king with whom he renewed league and friendship he had made previously.[2] and received more elephants until he had one hundred and fifty of them all together. He then returned home via Arachosia, Drangiana and Karmania.[3] No other source except Polybius makes any reference to Sophagasenus.