year 9, Issue 31 (5-2025)
Parseh J. Archaeol. Stud. 2025, 9(31): 89-112 |
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Yuan W. (2025). Polytheism Idolatry Worship of Kushan-Iranian Faith based on Coins and others Documents. Parseh J. Archaeol. Stud.. 9(31), 89-112. doi:10.61882/PJAS.1237
URL: http://journal.richt.ir/mbp/article-1-1237-en.html
URL: http://journal.richt.ir/mbp/article-1-1237-en.html
Associate Professor, Department of Collections Management, Guizhou Museum, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China. , 864035255@qq.com
Abstract: (1392 Views)
This paper stresses on the polytheistic idolatry worship of the Kushans and Iranian faith as evidenced by coins, relics and documents particularly in the field of numismatics, and historical data. This study can draw the following conclusions, the roots of Dayuezhi Iranian faith’s idolatry worship can be traced back to a combination of orthodox Zoroastrianism and indigenous Iranian faith during the Dayuezhi period. In this period, Dayuezhi used the image of lion to be a symbol of the Iranian goddess Nana on coin. The Kushan culture was influenced by Greek religious art, and later by Buddhist statuary art, but the current archaeological materials have not yet found evidence of existing Iranian deities relics and documents during the early decades of the reign of the Kushan emperors such as Kujula Kadphises, Wima Taktu, and Wima Kadpphises; In fact, polytheistic idolatry worship within the Iranian faith became fully established and flourished during the reigns of Kaniska and Huvishka. In this period, the Iranian faith deities Nana, Mirro, Mao, Orlagno, Athsho, Ardoxsho, Manaobago, Pharro, Lrooaspo, Mozdooano and Oado appear on Kaniska’s coins, and the Iranian faith deities Ardoxsho, Mirro, Mao, Nana, Shaoreo, Athsho, Oanindo, Oaxsho, Mozdooano, Sarapis, Rishti, Teiro, Ahura Mazda, Ashaixsho, Lrooaspo, Yamsho and Oado appear on Huvishka’s coins. Kushano-Sasanian coins revealed information about the rise of Iranian orthodox Zoroastrianism under Sasanian Persia which had conquered the region. The practice of polytheistic idolatry in Iranian faith was gradually declining during the late Kushan and Kushano-Sasanian periods. This decline continued into the Kidara Kushan period as evidenced by the coins.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Interdisciplinary
Received: 2025/01/5 | Accepted: 2025/02/10 | Published: 2025/05/31
Received: 2025/01/5 | Accepted: 2025/02/10 | Published: 2025/05/31
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