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In the coinage of the North Indian and Central Asian Kushan Empire (approximately 30-375 CE) the main coins issued were gold, weighing 7.9g., and base metal issues of various weights between 12g and 1.5g. Little silver coinage was issued, but in later periods the gold used was debased with silver.〔http://www.onsnumis.org/articles/kshaharata.shtml Accessed〕 The coin designs usually broadly follow the styles of the preceding Greco-Bactrian rulers in using Hellenistic styles of image, with a deity on one side and the king on the other. Kings may be shown as a profile head, a standing figure, typically officiating at a fire altar in Zoroastrian style, or mounted on a horse. The artistry of the dies is generally lower than the exceptionally high standards of the best coins of Greco-Bactrian rulers. Continuing influence from Roman coins can be seen in designs of the late 1st and 2nd century CE, and also in mint practices evidenced on the coins, as well as a gradual reduction in the value of the metal in base metal coins, so that they become virtual tokens. Iranian influence, especially in the royal figures and the pantheon of deities used, is even stronger.〔MacDowell, "Mithra"〕 Under Kanishka the royal title of "King of kings" changed from the Greek "ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ" to the Persian form "ϷAONANOϷAO" (Shah of Shahs).〔MacDowell, "Mithra", 308-309〕 Much of what little information we have of Kushan political history derives from coins. The language of inscriptions is typically the Bactrian language, written in a script derived from Greek. Many coins show the tamga symbols (see table) as a kind of monogram for the ruler. There were several regional mints, and the evidence from coins suggests that much of the empire was semi-independent. ==Kushan deities== The Kushan religious pantheon is extremely varied, as revealed by their coins and their seals, on which more than 30 different gods appear, belonging to the Hellenistic, the Iranian, and to a lesser extent the Indian world. Greek deities, with Greek names are represented on early coins. During Kanishka's reign, the language of the coinage changes to Bactrian (though it remained in Greek script for all kings). After Huvishka, only two divinities appear on the coins: ''Ardoxsho'' and ''Oesho'' (see details below). Representation of entities from Greek mythology and Hellenistic syncretism are: * Ηλιος (Helios), Ηφαηστος (Hephaistos), Σαληνη (Selene), Ανημος (Anemos). Further, the coins of Huvishka also portray the demi-god ''erakilo'' Heracles, and the Egyptian god ''sarapo'' Sarapis. The Indic entities represented on coinage include: * Βοδδο (''boddo'', Buddha) * Μετραγο Βοδδο (''metrago boddo'', bodhisattava Maitreya) * Mαασηνo (''maaseno'', Mahasena) * Σκανδo koμαρo (''skando komaro'', Skanda Kumara) * þακαμανο Βοδδο (''shakamano boddho'', Shakyamuni Buddha) The Iranian entities depicted on coinage include: * Αρδοχþο (''ardoxsho'', Ashi Vanghuhi) * Aþαειχþo (''ashaeixsho'', Asha Vahishta) * Αθþο (''athsho'', Atar) * Φαρρο (''pharro'', Khwarenah) * Λροοασπο (''lrooaspa'', Drvaspa) * Μαναοβαγο, (''manaobago'', Vohu Manah) * Μαο (''mao'', Mah) * Μιθρο, Μιιρο, Μιορο, Μιυρο (''mithro'' and variants, Mithra) * Μοζδοοανο (''mozdooano'', Mazda *vana "Mazda the victorious?") * Νανα, Ναναια, Ναναϸαο (variations of pan-Asiatic ''nana'', Sogdian ''nny'', in a Zoroastrian context Aredvi Sura Anahita) * Οαδο (''oado'' Vata) * Oαxþo (''oaxsho'', "Oxus") * Ooρoμoζδο (''ooromozdo'', Ahura Mazda) * Οραλαγνο (''orlagno'', Verethragna) * Τιερο (''tiero'', Tir) Additionally: * Οηϸο (''oesho''), long considered to represent Indic Shiva,〔Sivaramamurti, p. 56-59.〕 but more recently identified as Avestan Vayu conflated with Shiva.〔H. Humbach, 1975, p.402-408. K.Tanabe, 1997, p.277, M.Carter, 1995, p.152. J.Cribb, 1997, p.40. References cited in "De l'Indus à l'Oxus".〕 * Two copper coins of Huvishka bear a 'Ganesa' legend, but instead of depicting the typical theriomorphic figure of Ganesha, have a figure of an archer holding a full-length bow with string inwards and an arrow. This is typically a depiction of Rudra, but in the case of these two coins is generally assumed to represent Shiva. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Kushan coinage」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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