Vima Kadphises (or possibly Vima Takto)[1] on throne. The name of the ruler is mentioned in an epigraphic inscription at the feet of the statue. The inscription reads:
Maharaja rajatiraja devaputra
Kushanaputra (Shahi Vamataksha) masya Vakanapatina Huma (devakulu) karita
Vima Kadphises (Greek: Οοημο Καδφιϲηϲ Ooēmo Kadphisēs (epigraphic); Kharosthi: 𐨬𐨁𐨨 𐨐𐨫𐨿𐨤𐨁𐨭Vi-ma Ka-lpi-śa, Vima Kalpiśa) was a Kushan emperor from approximately 113 to 127 CE. According to the Rabatak inscription, he was the son of Vima Takto and the father of Kanishka.
The connection of Vima Kadphises with other Kushan rulers is described in the Rabatak inscription, which Kanishka wrote. Kanishka makes the list of the kings who ruled up to his time: Kujula Kadphises as his great-grandfather, Vima Taktu as his grandfather, Vima Kadphises as his father, and himself Kanishka:
"... for King Kujula Kadphises (his) great grandfather, and for King Vima Taktu (his) grandfather, and for King Vima Kadphises (his) father, and *also for himself, King Kanishka" (Cribb and Sims-Williams 1995/6: 80) Emperor Vima Kadphises expanded the Kushan territory in Afghanistan and north-west India, where he may have replaced the Indo-Scythian ruler Sodasa in Mathura.
Coinsedit
He was the Kushan emperor to first introduce gold coinage, in addition to the existing copper and silver coinage. Most of the gold seems to have been obtained through trade with the Roman Empire. The gold weight standard of approximately eight grams corresponds to that of Roman coins of the 1st century. Gold bullion from Rome would be melted and used for the Kushan mints, into three denominations: the double stater, the stater, and the quarter starter (or dinara).[dubious – discuss]
The usage of gold testifies to the prosperity of the Kushan Empire from the time of Vima, being the center of trade between the Han dynasty of China (where Vima was known as 阎膏珍), Central Asia and Alexandria and Antioch in the West. The Kushan were able to maintain and protect the Silk road, allowing silk, spices, textiles or medicine[citation needed] to move between China, India and the West. In particular, many goods [vague] were sent by ship to the Roman empire, creating a return flow of gold coins, Greek wine and slaves. Works of arts were also imported from all directions[where?][vague], as indicated by the variety and quality of the artefacts [vague] found in the Kushan summer capital of Bagram in Afghanistan. A strong artistic syncretism was stimulated, as indicated by the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara.
Roman history relates the visit of ambassadors from the Indian kings to the court of Trajan (98–117 CE), bearing presents and letters in Greek, which were sent either by Vima Kadphises or his son Kanishka.
Most of Vima's coins feature the Buddhist symbol of the Triratana on the reverse (or possibly Shiva's symbol for Nandi, the Nandipada), together with Hindu representations of Shiva, with or without his bull. Often time, a Trishul is depicted along with Shiva.
Major coin legends of Vima Kadphises
Vima Kadphises with ithyphallicShiva. Obv: Bust of king emerging from a cloud, with a crested helmet and holding a club. Corrupted Greek language legend: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΟΟΗΜΟ ΚΑΔΦΙΣΗΣ ("Basileus Ooimo Kadphisis"): "King Vima Kadphises". Rev:Shiva, with a long trident in right hand, and the skin of a tiger in the left. Left, monogram of Vima Kadphises. Right: Buddhist triratna symbol (or possibly Nandipada). Kharoshthi legend: MAHARAJASA RAJADIRAJASA SARVALOGA ISVARASA MAHISVARASA VIMA KATHPHISASA TRADARA "The Great king, the king of kings, lord of the World, the Mahisvara (lord of the earth), Vima Kathphisa, the defender."
Vima Kadphises in long coat. Legend in corrupted Greek script: ΒΑϹΙΛΕΥϹ BACIΛEWN CWTHP MEΓAC ΟΟΗΜΟ ΚΑΔΦΙϹΗϹ ("Basileus Basileuon Soter Megas Ooemo Kadphises"): "King of Kings Vima Kadphises the Great Saviour". British Museum.
Coin typesedit
Bronze coin of Wima Kadphises with camel, found in Khotan.
Coin of the Kushan empire, king Vima Kadphises, Cleveland Museum of Art
Coin of Wima.
Coin of Wima.
Vima in heavy coat, sitting cross-legged on a low couch.
Vima riding a chariot.
Vima seated on a throne, holding a thunderbolt.
Bust of Vima, holding a club.
Diademed head of Vima within a frame, trident battleaxe on reverse.
Vima standing, making an offering over a small altar. Imperial title in Greek: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΣΩΤΗΡ ΜΕΓΑΣ ΟΟΗΜΟ ΚΑΔΦΙΣΗΣ
^Revire, Nicolas (January 2017). "Kinsman of the Sun: An Early Buddha Image in the Asian Art Museum, Berlin, and Solar Symbolism". Indo-Asiatische Zeitschrift, Vol. 20-21, Pp. 3-14: 9.
^Banerjee, Gauranga Nath (1920). Hellenism in ancient India. Calcutta : Published by the Author ; New York : Oxford University Press. p. 92.
Referencesedit
Hill, John E. (2009) Through the Jade Gate to Rome: A Study of the Silk Routes during the Later Han Dynasty, 1st to 2nd Centuries CE. BookSurge, Charleston, South Carolina. ISBN978-1-4392-2134-1.
Tarn, W. W. (1951). The Greeks in Bactria and India. 3rd Edition 1984. Ares Publishers, Chicago. ISBN0-89005-524-6
External linksedit
Coins of Vima Kadphises
Catalogue of coins of Vima Kadphises
January 01, 1970
vima, kadphises, king, vima, kadphises, devotee, shaivite, kushan, emperordouble, stater, obverse, diademed, crowned, figure, seated, facing, stool, with, ornate, legs, head, left, feet, footstool, holding, laurel, branch, raised, right, hand, corrupted, greek. King vima kadphises is a devotee shaivite Vima KadphisesKushan emperorDouble stater Vima Kadphises Obverse diademed and crowned figure of Vima Kadphises seated facing on stool with ornate legs head left feet on footstool holding laurel branch in raised right hand Corrupted Greek language legend BASILEYS OOHMO KADFIϹHϹ Basileus Ooimo Kadphisis King Vima Kadphises Afghanistan Guimet Museum MG24356Reign113 127 CEPredecessorVima TaktoSuccessorKanishkaDynastyKushan Statue of Vima KadphisesVima Kadphises or possibly Vima Takto 1 on throne The name of the ruler is mentioned in an epigraphic inscription at the feet of the statue The inscription reads Maharaja rajatiraja devaputra Kushanaputra Shahi Vamataksha masya Vakanapatina Huma devakulu karita Arama pushkarini udapana cha sa da kothako 2 Mathura Museum Vima Kadphises Greek Oohmo Kadfiϲhϲ Ooemo Kadphises epigraphic Kharosthi 𐨬 𐨨 𐨐𐨫 𐨤 𐨭 Vi ma Ka lpi sa Vima Kalpisa was a Kushan emperor from approximately 113 to 127 CE According to the Rabatak inscription he was the son of Vima Takto and the father of Kanishka Contents 1 Rule 1 1 Genealogy 2 Coins 3 Coin types 4 Footnotes 5 References 6 External linksRule editGenealogy edit The connection of Vima Kadphises with other Kushan rulers is described in the Rabatak inscription which Kanishka wrote Kanishka makes the list of the kings who ruled up to his time Kujula Kadphises as his great grandfather Vima Taktu as his grandfather Vima Kadphises as his father and himself Kanishka for King Kujula Kadphises his great grandfather and for King Vima Taktu his grandfather and for King Vima Kadphises his father and also for himself King Kanishka Cribb and Sims Williams 1995 6 80 Emperor Vima Kadphises expanded the Kushan territory in Afghanistan and north west India where he may have replaced the Indo Scythian ruler Sodasa in Mathura Coins editHe was the Kushan emperor to first introduce gold coinage in addition to the existing copper and silver coinage Most of the gold seems to have been obtained through trade with the Roman Empire The gold weight standard of approximately eight grams corresponds to that of Roman coins of the 1st century Gold bullion from Rome would be melted and used for the Kushan mints into three denominations the double stater the stater and the quarter starter or dinara dubious discuss The usage of gold testifies to the prosperity of the Kushan Empire from the time of Vima being the center of trade between the Han dynasty of China where Vima was known as 阎膏珍 Central Asia and Alexandria and Antioch in the West The Kushan were able to maintain and protect the Silk road allowing silk spices textiles or medicine citation needed to move between China India and the West In particular many goods vague were sent by ship to the Roman empire creating a return flow of gold coins Greek wine and slaves Works of arts were also imported from all directions where vague as indicated by the variety and quality of the artefacts vague found in the Kushan summer capital of Bagram in Afghanistan A strong artistic syncretism was stimulated as indicated by the Greco Buddhist art of Gandhara Roman history relates the visit of ambassadors from the Indian kings to the court of Trajan 98 117 CE bearing presents and letters in Greek which were sent either by Vima Kadphises or his son Kanishka Most of Vima s coins feature the Buddhist symbol of the Triratana on the reverse or possibly Shiva s symbol for Nandi the Nandipada together with Hindu representations of Shiva with or without his bull Often time a Trishul is depicted along with Shiva Major coin legends of Vima Kadphises nbsp Vima Kadphises with ithyphallic Shiva Obv Bust of king emerging from a cloud with a crested helmet and holding a club Corrupted Greek language legend BASILEYS OOHMO KADFISHS Basileus Ooimo Kadphisis King Vima Kadphises Rev Shiva with a long trident in right hand and the skin of a tiger in the left Left monogram of Vima Kadphises Right Buddhist triratna symbol or possibly Nandipada Kharoshthi legend MAHARAJASA RAJADIRAJASA SARVALOGA ISVARASA MAHISVARASA VIMA KATHPHISASA TRADARA The Great king the king of kings lord of the World the Mahisvara lord of the earth Vima Kathphisa the defender nbsp Vima Kadphises in long coat Legend in corrupted Greek script BAϹILEYϹ BACILEWN CWTHP MEGAC OOHMO KADFIϹHϹ Basileus Basileuon Soter Megas Ooemo Kadphises King of Kings Vima Kadphises the Great Saviour British Museum Coin types edit nbsp Bronze coin of Wima Kadphises with camel found in Khotan nbsp Coin of the Kushan empire king Vima Kadphises Cleveland Museum of Art nbsp Coin of Wima nbsp Coin of Wima nbsp Vima in heavy coat sitting cross legged on a low couch nbsp Vima riding a chariot nbsp Vima seated on a throne holding a thunderbolt nbsp Bust of Vima holding a club nbsp Diademed head of Vima within a frame trident battleaxe on reverse nbsp Vima standing making an offering over a small altar Imperial title in Greek BASILEYS BASILEWN SWTHR MEGAS OOHMO KADFISHS nbsp nbsp Preceded byVima Takto Kushan Ruler90 100 CE Succeeded byKanishkaFootnotes edit Revire Nicolas January 2017 Kinsman of the Sun An Early Buddha Image in the Asian Art Museum Berlin and Solar Symbolism Indo Asiatische Zeitschrift Vol 20 21 Pp 3 14 9 Banerjee Gauranga Nath 1920 Hellenism in ancient India Calcutta Published by the Author New York Oxford University Press p 92 References editHill John E 2009 Through the Jade Gate to Rome A Study of the Silk Routes during the Later Han Dynasty 1st to 2nd Centuries CE BookSurge Charleston South Carolina ISBN 978 1 4392 2134 1 Tarn W W 1951 The Greeks in Bactria and India 3rd Edition 1984 Ares Publishers Chicago ISBN 0 89005 524 6External links editCoins of Vima Kadphises Catalogue of coins of Vima Kadphises Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vima Kadphises amp oldid 1223628809, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
