ABSTRACT
Studying the visual culture of a particular kingdom or dynasty offers some insights into the ethos of that kingdom. In the Graeco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek world the most persuasive medium of visual culture was coins. With coins we can also talk of sculptures. This essay argues that the deities chosen by the Greek kings for representation on coins tended to be those who could be used as symbols of power. Hellenistic identity through the portrayal of these deities was very actively claimed and cherished. The artistic tradition of classical Greece rather than the tradition of their contemporary Greek society was nurtured.
