Coinage of Vasudeva III, c. 360-365 CE. King standing facing, head left, holding trident and banner, altar before; symbols around / Goddess Ardoksho seated facing.

Vasudeva III was possibly the son of Vasudeva II and a ruler of the Kushan Empire c. 360-365 CE.

Reign

By the reign of Vasudeva III, the Kushan Empire had declined into insignificance. In the west the Sasanian Empire was a threat, and in the east local native people had regained their independence.[1]

Disputed existence

Existence of Vasudeva III has been disputed,[2] as has been the existence of his supposed father Vasudeva II.[3] No epigraphic evidence supports his existence.[4]

It has also been proposed, from numismatic evidence, that there may have been another Kushan ruler with the same name and regnal number as Vasudeva III.[5]

References

  1. ^ Buddha Prakash (1971). Evolution of heroic tradition in ancient Panjab. Punjabi University. p. 53.
  2. ^ Bratindra Nath Mukherjee (1978). Kushāṇa coins of the Land of the Five Rivers. Indian Museum. p. 53.
  3. ^ Gritli von Mitterwallner; Frederic Salmon Growse (1986). Kuṣāṇa Coins and Kuṣāṇa Sculptures from Mathurā. Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of U.P., Lucknow. p. 38.
  4. ^ John M. Rosenfield (1967). The Dynastic Arts of the Kushans. University of California Press. p. 112. GGKEY:0379L32LPNJ.
  5. ^ Satya Shrava (1985). The Kushāṇa Numismatics. Praṇava Prakāshan. p. 223.
Preceded byVasudeva II Kushan Ruler Succeeded byVasudeva IV


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