Oesho
Three-faced Oesho on coin of Huvishka, with traditional attributes: thunder (vajra), trident, club (Daṇḍa), vase. Bactrian legend Οηϸο[1]
Bactrian scriptΟΗϷΟ / Οηϸο
AffiliationShiva, Vayu
ConsortOmmo ("ΟΜΜΟ", Umā)

Oesho (Bactrian: Οηϸο) is a deity found on coins of 2nd to 6th-century, particularly the 2nd-century Kushan era. He was apparently one of the titular deities of the Kushan dynasty. Oesho is an early Kushan deity that is regarded as an amalgamation of Shiva.[2]

By the time of the Kushan emperor Ooishki (Bactrian Οοηϸκι; often Romanised as Huvishka), who reigned in 140–180 CE, Oesho and the female deity Ardoksho (Ardoxsho; Ardochsho; Ardokhsho) were the only deities appearing on Kushan coins.

Connections

Connections to several contemporaneous deities worshipped by neighbouring cultures have been suggested.

Consort

The consort of Oesho was Ommo ("ΟΜΜΟ", Umā), as shown on a coin type of Kushan ruler Huvishka with, on the reverse, the divine couple Ommo ("ΟΜΜΟ", Umā) holding a flower, and Oesho ("ΟΗϷΟ", Shiva) with four arms holding attributes.[9][10]

Depictions of Oesho

Notes

  1. ^ Rosenfield, John M. (1967). The Dynastic Arts of the Kushans. University of California Press. p. 93.
  2. ^ Carter, Martha L. (1994). A Treasury of Indian Coins. Marg Publications. ISBN 978-81-85026-25-1.
  3. ^ Sivaramamurti, p. 56-59.
  4. ^ The Dynasty Arts of the Kushans. University of California Press. 1967. pp. 92–93.
  5. ^ Blurton, T. Richard (1993). Hindu Art. Harvard University Press. p. 84. ISBN 0-674-39189-6.
  6. ^ Sims-Williams, Nicolas. "Bactrian Language". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Vol. 3. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
  7. ^ 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".
  8. ^ "Coins of Vima Kadphises". Archived from the original on 2011-05-14. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  9. ^ Dani, Ahmad Hasan; Harmatta, János (1999). History of Civilizations of Central Asia. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 326. ISBN 978-81-208-1408-0.
  10. ^ "Ommo-Oesho coin of Huvishka British Museum". The British Museum.
  11. ^ Dani, Ahmad Hasan; Harmatta, János (1999). History of Civilizations of Central Asia. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 326. ISBN 978-81-208-1408-0.
  12. ^ Dani, Ahmad Hasan; Harmatta, János (1999). History of Civilizations of Central Asia. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 326. ISBN 978-81-208-1408-0.
  13. ^ "Ommo-Oesho coin of Huvishka British Museum". The British Museum.
  14. ^ Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition

References

Categories