Vima Kadphises

Vima Kadphises (Greek: Οοημο Καδφιϲηϲ Ooēmo Kadphisēs

Vima Kadphises
(epigraphic); Kharosthi: 𐨭 𐨫𐨿𐨤𐨁𐨐 𐨨 𐨬𐨁 Vi-ma Ka-lpi-śa, Vima Kalpiśa)
was a Kushan emperor from approximately 113 to 127 CE. Kushan emperor
According to the Rabatak inscription, he was the son of Vima
Takto and the father of Kanishka.

Contents
Rule
Genealogy
Coins
Coin types
Footnotes Double stater Vima Kadphises.
References Obverse: diademed and crowned
figure of Vima Kadphises seated
External links facing on stool with ornate legs,
head left, feet on footstool, holding
laurel branch in raised right hand.
Corrupted Greek language legend:
Rule ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΟΟΗΜΟ ΚΑΔΦΙϹΗϹ
("Basileus Ooimo Kadphisis"): "King
Vima Kadphises". Afghanistan.
Guimet Museum, MG24356
Genealogy
Reign 113–127 CE
The connection of Vima Kadphises with other Kushan rulers is Predecessor Vima Takto
described in the Rabatak inscription, which Kanishka wrote.
Kanishka makes the list of the kings who ruled up to his time: Successor Kanishka
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
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).

The usage of gold testifies to the prosperity of the Kushan Empire from the time of Vima, being the center
 Statue of Vima Kadphises

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

Arama pushkarini udapana (cha) sa-da (kothako)[2]

Mathura Museum.

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 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 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 ithyphallic Shiva.

Vima Kadphises in long coat.
Obv: Bust of king emerging from a cloud, with a crested helmet and Legend in corrupted Greek
holding a club. Corrupted Greek language legend: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ script: ΒΑϹΙΛΕΥϹ
ΟΟΗΜΟ ΚΑΔΦΙΣΗΣ ("Basileus Ooimo Kadphisis"): "King Vima BACIΛEWN CWTHP MEΓAC
Kadphises".
ΟΟΗΜΟ ΚΑΔΦΙϹΗϹ
Rev: Shiva, with a long trident in right hand, and the skin of a tiger ("Basileus Basileuon Soter
in the left. Left, monogram of Vima Kadphises. Right: Buddhist Megas Ooemo Kadphises"):
triratna symbol (or possibly Nandipada). Kharoshthi legend: "King of Kings Vima
MAHARAJASA RAJADIRAJASA SARVALOGA ISVARASA Kadphises the Great Saviour".
MAHISVARASA VIMA KATHPHISASA TRADARA "The Great king, British Museum.
the king of kings, lord of the World, the Mahisvara (lord of the earth),
Vima Kathphisa, the defender."

Coin types


Bronze coin of Wima Coin of the Kushan Coin of Wima. Coin of Wima.
Kadphises with empire, king Vima
camel, found in Kadphises,
Khotan. Cleveland Museum
of Art

Vima in heavy coat, Vima riding a Vima seated on a Bust of Vima,

sitting cross-legged chariot. throne, holding a holding a club.
on a low couch. thunderbolt.

Diademed head of Vima standing,

Vima within a frame, making an offering
trident battleaxe on over a small altar.
reverse. Imperial title in
Greek: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΣΩΤΗΡ
ΜΕΓΑΣ ΟΟΗΜΟ
ΚΑΔΦΙΣΗΣ

Footnotes
 1. Revire, Nicolas. Kinsman of the Sun: An Early Buddha Image in the Asian Art Museum,
Berlin, and Solar Symbolism (https://www.academia.edu/35217420). p. 9.
2. Banerjee, Gauranga Nath (1920). Hellenism in ancient India (https://archive.org/details/helle
nisminancie00bane). Calcutta : Published by the Author ; New York : Oxford University
Press. p. 92 (https://archive.org/details/hellenisminancie00bane/page/92).

References
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.
ISBN 978-1-4392-2134-1.
Tarn, W. W. (1951). The Greeks in Bactria and India. 3rd Edition 1984. Ares Publishers,
Chicago. ISBN 0-89005-524-6

External links
Coins of Vima Kadphises (http://www.coinarchives.com/a/results.php?results=100&search=
Vima+AND+Kadphises)
Catalogue of coins of Vima Kadphises (http://coinindia.com/galleries-vima-kadphises.html)

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