712 Notes on the Antiquities of Bdm{ In. [Nov. 



from whence his ancestors, in all due solemnity, invoked the glorious 

 sun and dazzling hosts of heaven. 



Admitting the evidence upon which we ascrihe the idols of Bdmidn 

 to the princes of the Kidnidn race, without prejudice to their indi- 

 vidual character, or whether they be idols of Nanaia and other deities, 

 or statues of sovereigns — we naturally turn to consider the possible 

 epoch of their construction ; and this, if not absolutely to be fixed, is 

 brought within a certain and comparatively recent period, or one sub- 

 sequent to the destruction of the Greek-Bactrian monarchy. This 

 monarchy, as Justin testifies, was overthrown by the Parthians, and 

 the fact is perhaps as easily to be credited as that its subversion was 

 effected by the Getse ; though it must be allowed, that in support of 

 the latter opinion, Strabo is very grave authority, particularly when 

 he enumerates the hordes or nations that effected the subversion, the 

 Asii, Pasiani, Tochari, and Sacarauli. It maybe, as Schefed hints, 

 that both had a hand in it ; but the conclusion by the same learned 

 author that the Getre remained in possession, may be liable to doubt, 

 if we recognize the Bdmuin idols to be memorials of the Parthian 

 (qy.) conquerors of Bactria. It is proper, however, to note, that 

 about this time, the AZ02 dynasty, whose coins we have, seems entitled 

 to be considered ; and if that appellation have any connection with the 

 name of the first of the four Getic hordes, as, we believe, Mr. Prinsep 

 suspects, both Justin and Strabo may be reconciled ; for, according 

 to every appearance, the Azos dynasty originated in the regions bor- 

 dering on the Indus towards its source. At the same time, it must 

 be remembered, that we suggest the possibility only that the Bdmidn 

 idols may refer to the Parthian (qy.) conquerors of Bactria. We 

 have remarked that the year 56 B. C. has been mentioned as the 

 epoch of the construction of the idols, (that will be of the more anci- 

 ent one,) and this epoch might coincide with that of the supercession 

 of the Greek-Bactrian monarchy ; but when this date is quoted as 

 being found in the Mahabhdrat, either the authority of that work has 

 been carelessly advanced, or the work itself must considerably abate 

 its pretensions to the antiquity conceded to it by some. 



We feel repugnance to renounce old and favorite theories, but 

 they must yield to facts. We had plausibly enough given the Greeks 

 in Bactria for successors a race of Getic or Indo-Scythic sovereigns, 

 as we conveniently called them ; and we concluded them to be of the 

 Buddhist iaith, because we have read that such faith was prevalent 

 in Central Asia about the commencement of the Christian era. With- 

 out deeming it necessary to contest the latter fact, in favor of which, 

 indeed, some proof may be adduced, we have gradually, however, 



