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Oesho

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]

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)

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

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

  • During the Kushan era, Oesho was often linked to the Hindu concept of Ishvara, which was embodied by the god Shiva;[3] Oesho may share the same etymology as Ishvara and/or represent a variant of the word in the Bactrian language spoken by the Kushans.[4][5]
  • Similarities have retrospectively been identified with the Avestan Vayu.[6][7]
  • Some later representations, evidently influenced by Greco-Bactrian culture, depict Oesho with a trishula, the traditional implement of Shiva, similar to a trident that is part of Poseidon's iconography.[8]

Consort

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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

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  •  
    Coin of Huvishka with deity Oesho ("ΟΗϷΟ", Shiva).[11]
  •  
    Coinage 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. Circa 150-180 CE.[12][13]
  •  
    Oesho, with a second human face, and the head of a horned animal, on a coin of Vasudeva I
  •  
    Coin of the Kushan king Kanishka II with, on the reverse, a depiction of Oesho and the word "Oesho" in modified Greek script.
  •  
    Kushan worshipper with Oesho, Bactria, 3rd century CE.[14]

Notes

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  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

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