Vima Kadphises
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 (Kushan language:ΟΟΗΜΟ ΚΑΔΦΙϹΗϹ, Ancient Chinese:阎膏珍) was a Kushan emperor from around 90-100 CE. As detailed by the Rabatak inscription, he was the son of Vima Takto and the father of Kanishka.
Vima Kadphises added to the Kushan territory by his conquests in Afghanistan and north-west India.
He was the first to introduce gold coinage in India, 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 the 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).
The usage of gold testifies to the prosperity of the Kushan Empire from the time of Vima, being the center of trade between 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 to move between China, India and the West. In particular, many goods 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, as indicated by the variety and quality of the artefacts 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 representations of Shiva, with or without his bull.
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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
| Preceded by: Vima Takto |
Kushan Ruler 90-100 CE |
Succeeded by: Kanishka |
References
- Hill, John E. 2004. The Western Regions according to the Hou Hanshu. Draft annotated English translation.[1]
- Tarn, W. W. (1951). The Greeks in Bactria and India. 3rd Edition 1984. Ares Publishers, Chicago. ISBN 0-89005-524-6