Vima Kadphises (en.wikipedia.org)
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.
