Cuscan Rīce
Se '''Cuscan Rīċe''' (c. [[1st century|1e]]–[[3rd century|3e ȝēarhundred]]) ƿæs rīċe þæt in his grēatan tīde, ymbe [[105]]–[[250s|250]], leȝde of [[Tajikistan]], tō [[Caspia]] sǣ, tō [[Afghanistan]], tō [[Gandis]] dene.

Þes rīċe hæfþ se Cuscan folc of [[Yuezhi]] ȝemacod, þæt cōmon of tōdæȝes [[Xinjiang]] in [[Cīna|Ċīnan]], man þincþ hīe sind cynn tō þǣm [[Toharisc folc]]. Hīe hæfdon diplomatic contacts mid [[Rōm]]e, [[Sassanisc]] [[Persisc Rīce|Persea]] and Cīna, and for several centuries were at the center of exchange betƿēonum þǣm Ēaste and Ƿeste.

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==Fruman==
Se nama ''Cuscan'' ofgengþ of þǣm Cīniscan worde ''Guishuang'' (Ch:貴霜), þe āscrīfeþ ān þāra fīf folca þāra [[Yuezhi]] (Ch:月氏), a loose confederation of [[Indo-European]] peoples speaking versions þǣre [[Tocharian_languages|Tocharian]] sprǣce. Hie wæron þa easternmest Indo-Europeans, who had been living in the arid grasslands of the [[Tarim Basin]] in modern-day [[Xinjiang]], until they were driven west by the [[Xiongnu]] in [[176 BC|176]]–[[160 BC|160&nbsp;BCE]]. The five Yuezhi tribes are known in Chinese history as Xiūmì (Ch:休密), Guishuang (Ch:貴霜), Shuangmi (Ch:雙靡), Xidun (Ch:肸頓), and Dūmì (Ch:都密).

The Yuezhi reached þæt Crecisc rice [[Greco-Bactria]], in þǣm [[Bactrian]] landscipe (norðernmest Afghanistan and Uzbekistan) ymbe [[135 BC|135&nbsp;BCE]], and displaced the Crecisc dynasties there, who resettled in Indus basin (in present day Pacistan) in the westdæl þæs [[Indocrecisc Rice|Indocreciscan Rices]].

==A multi-cultural Empire==
In the [[1st century BC|following century]], the Yuezhi tribe of the  ''Guishuang'' (Ch: 貴霜) gained prominence over the others, and welded them into a tight confederation. The name ''Guishuang'' was adopted in the West and modified into ''Kushan'' to designate the confederation, although the Chinese continued to call them ''Yuezhi''.

Gradually wresting control of the area from the [[Indo-Scythians|Scythian]] tribes, the Kushans expanded south into the region traditionally known as [[Gandhara]] (An area lying primarily in Pakistan's Pothowar, and NWFP region but going in an arc to include Kabul valley and part of Qandahar in Afghanistan) and established twin capitals near present-day [[Kabul]] and [[Peshawar]] then known as Kapisa and Pushklavati respectively.

The Kushans adopted many elements of the [[Hellenism|Hellenistic]] culture of [[Bactria]], where they had settled. They adapted the Greek alphabet (often corrupted) to suit their own language (with the additional development of the letter Þ "sh", as in "Kushan") and soon began minting coinage on the Greek model. On their coins they used Greek language legends combined with [[Kharoshthi]] legends until the first few years of the reign of Kanishka, and after that date, used Kushan language legends combined with Greek language legends, both of them in the Greek script. 

From the time of Wima Takto, Kushans started adopting the Indian culture like the other nomadic groups who invaded India. The first great Kushan emperor Wima Kadphises seems to have embraced [[Saivism]], as indicated by his coins. The following Kushan emperors represented a wide variety of Indian and Central Asian deities, as well as the Buddha.

[[Image: Heraios.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Silver tetradrachm of Kushan king [[Heraios]] ([[1]]–[[30]]&nbsp;CE) in [[Greco-Bactrian]] style, with horseman crowned by the Greek goddess of victory [[Nike (mythology)|Nike]]. <br>Greek legend: TVPANNOVOTOΣ HΛOV - ΣΛNΛB - KOÞÞANOY "The Tyrant Heraios, Sanav, of the Kushans".]]

===Heraios===
Heraios was probably the first of the Kushan kings. He may have been an ally of the Greeks, and he shared the same style of coinage. Heraios was probably the father of Kujula Kadphises.

===Kujula Kadphises===
At the beginning of the [[1st century]], during the reign of [[Kujula Kadphises]], the Kushans suffered a strong setback, as a large part of their empire was invaded by the [[Parthians]]. The Parthian leader [[Gondophares]] established an [[Indo-Parthian Kingdom]] that was to last until the end of the century. By around [[75]], however, the Kushans had regained most of their territory.

===Kanishka I===
[[Image: KanishkaI.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Gold coin of Kushan emperor [[Kanishka|Kanishka I]] (c.&nbsp;[[100]]–[[126]]) with a Hellenistic representation of the [[Buddha]] (except for the feet spread apart, Kushan style), and the word "Boddo" in [[Greek script]].]]

The rule of [[Kanishka|Kanishka I]], the second great Kushan emperor, fifth Kushan king, who flourished for at least 28 years from c.&nbsp;[[127]], was administered from two capitals: Purushapura (now [[Peshawar]] in northern Pakistan) and [[Mathura]], in northern India. The Kushans also had a summer capital in [[Bagram]] (then known as Kapisa), where the "[[Bagram|Begram Treasure]]", comprising works of art from Greece to China, has been found. According to the Rabatak inscription, Kanishka was the son of Vima Kadphises, the grandson of Vima Taktu, and the great-grandson of Kujula Kadphises. Kanishka's ruling period is disputed, which will affects the ruling period of other rulers as well, since accession of Kanishka was believed to be in c.&nbsp;[[78]], which is believed to be the basis of official [[Saka]] calendar of India. 

The rule of the Kushans linked the seagoing trade of the Indian Ocean with the commerce of the [[Silk Road]] through the long-civilized [[Indus Valley]]. At the height of the dynasty, the Kushans loosely oversaw a territory that extended to the Aral Sea through present-day Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan into northern India. 

[[Image:KushanMan.JPG|thumb|150px|left|Kushan man in the traditional costume with tunic and boots, [[2nd century|2nd&nbsp;century]], [[Gandhara]].]]

The loose unity and comparative peace of such a vast expanse encouraged long-distance trade, brought Chinese silks to [[Rome]], and created strings of flourishing urban centers.

Cultural exchanges also flourished, encouraging the development of [[Greco-Buddhism]], a fusion of [[Hellenistic]] and [[Buddhist]] cultural elements, that was to expand into central and northern Asia as [[Mahayana]] Buddhism. Kanishka is renowed in Buddhist tradition for having convened a great Buddhist council in [[Kashmir]]. This council is attributed with having marked the official beginning of the pantheistic [[Mahayana]] Buddhism and its scission with [[Nikaya Buddhism]]. Kanishka also had the original [[Gandhari]] vernacular, or [[Prakrit]], Mahayana Buddhist texts translated into the high literary language of [[Sanskrit]]. Along with the Indian king [[Ashoka]], the [[Indo-Greek]] king [[Menander I]] (Milinda), and [[Harsha|Harsha Vardhana]], Kanishka is considered by Buddhism as one of its greatest benefactors.

The art and culture of [[Gandhara]], at the crossroads of the Kushan hegemony, are the best known expressions of Kushan influences to Westerners.

==Contacts with Rome==
Several Roman sources describe the visit of ambasssadors from the Kings of Bactria and India during the [[2nd century]] CE, probably referring to the Kushans:

[[Image: BegramGladiator.JPG|thumb|180px|A Greco-Roman gladiator on a glass vessel, [[Begram]], 2nd century.]]

[[Aelius Spartianus]], speaking of [[Hadrian|Emperor Hadrian]] ([[117]]–[[138]]&nbsp;CE) in his [[Historia Augusta]] writes:
 
"Reges Bactrianorum legatos ad eum, amicitiae petendae causa, supplices miserunt" ("The kings of the Bactrians sent supplicant ambassadors to him, begging for his friendship").

Also in [[138]], according to [[Aurelius Victor]] (''Épitomé''‚ XV, 4), and [[Appian]] (''Praef.'', 7), [[Antoninus Pius]], successor to [[Hadrian]], received some Indian, Bactrian (Kushan) and Hyrcanian ambassadors.

The Chinese Historical Chronicle of the [[Hou Hanshu]] also describes the exchange of goods between northwestern India and the [[Roman Empire]] at that time: "To the west (Tiazhu, northwestern india) communicates with [[Da Qin]] (the Roman Empire). Precious things from Da Qin can be found there, as well as fine cotton cloths, excellent wool carpets, perfumes of all sorts, sugar loaves, pepper, ginger, and black salt."

The summer capital of the Kushan in [[Begram]] has yielded a considerable amount of goods imported from the Roman Empire, in particular various types of glassware.

==Contacts with China==
During the 1st and 2nd century, the Kushan Empire expanded militarily to the north and occupied parts of the [[Tarim Basin]], their original grounds, putting them at the center of the profitable Central Asian commerce with the [[Roman Empire]]. They are related to have collaborated militarily with the Chinese against nomadic incursion, particularly when they collaborated with the Chinese general [[Ban Chao]] against the Sogdians in [[84|84&nbsp;CE]], when the latter were trying to support a revolt by the king of [[Kashgar]]. Around [[85|85&nbsp;CE]], they also assisted the Chinese general in an attack on [[Turfan]], east of the Tarim Basin. 

[[Image:Lokaksema.jpg|thumb|170px|The Kushan Buddhist monk [[Lokaksema]], first translator of Buddhist scriptures into [[Chinese language|Chinese]].]]
In recognition for their support to the Chinese, the Kushans requested, but were denied, a [[Han Chinese|Han]] princess, even after they had sent presents to the Chinese court.  In retaliation, they marched on Ban Chao in [[86|86&nbsp;CE]] with a force of 70,000, but, exhausted by the expedition, were finally defeated by the smaller Chinese force.  The Yuezhi retreated and paid tribute to the Chinese Empire during the reign of the Chinese emperor [[Emperor He of Han China|Han He]] ([[89]]–[[106]]).

Later, around [[116|116&nbsp;CE]], the Kushans under [[Kanishka]] established a kingdom centered on [[Kashgar]], also taking control of [[Khotan]] and [[Yarkand]], which were Chinese dependencies in the [[Tarim Basin]], modern [[Xinjiang]]. They introduced the [[Brahmi]] script, the Indian [[Prakrit]] language for administration, and expanded the influence of [[Greco-Buddhist art]] which developed into [[Serindian art]].

The Kushans are again recorded to have sent presents to the Chinese court in [[158]]–[[159]]&nbsp;CE during the reign of the Chinese emperor [[Emperor Huan of Han China|Han Huan]]. 

Following these interactions, cultural exhanges further increased, and Kushan Buddhist missionaries, such as [[Lokaksema]], became active in the Chinese capital cities of [[Loyang]] and sometimes [[Nanjing]], where they particularly distinguished themselves by their translation work. They were the first recorded promoters of Hinayana and Mahayana scriptures in China, greatly contributing to the [[Silk Road transmission of Buddhism]].

==Undergang==
[[Image: KanishkaII.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Gold dinar of Kushan king [[Kanishka II]] ([[200]]–[[220]])]]

From the [[3rd century]] the Kushan empire began to fragment.

Ymbe [[225]], [[Vasudeva I]] died and the Kushan empire was divided into western and eastern halves. Around [[224]]–[[240]], the [[Sassanians]] invaded [[Bactria]] and Northern India, where they are known as the [[Indo-Sassanian]]s. 

Around [[270]], the Kushans lost their territories on the Gangetic plain, where the [[Gupta Empire]] was established around [[320]].

During the middle of the [[4th century]] CE a Kushan vassal in Pakistan, named [[Kidara]], rose to power and overthrew the old Kushan dynasty.  He created a kingdom known as the [[Kidarite Kingdom]], although he probably considered himself a Kushan, as indicated by the Kushan style of his coins. The Kidarite seem to have been rather prosperous, although on a smaller scale than their Kushan predecessors.

Þā lāfa þæs Cuscan rīces wǣron forloren in [[5th gēarhundred]] mid þǣre infare þāra  [[Hwīte Hunnan|Hwītra Hunnena]] and [[Islam]]iscan þungennesse.
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== Hēah Cuscan ƿealdendas ==
Heraios (c. 1 – 30), forma Cuscan ƿealdend, ȝemǣnelīċe Cuscan ƿealdungtīd is ȝecnēatod
Kujula Kadphises (c. 30 – c. 80)
Vima Takto, (c. 80 – c. 105) elcor ȝehāten Soter Megas oþþe "Miċel Hǣlend."
Vima Kadphises (c. 105 – c. 127) se forma miċela Cuscena cāsere
Kanishka I (127 – c. 147)
Vāsishka (c. 151 – c. 155)
Huvishka (c. 155 – c. 187)
Vasudeva I (c. 191 – 225), se sīðemesta miċelra Cuscena cāsera
Kanishka II (c. 226 – 240)
Vashishka (c. 240 – 250)
Kanishka III (c. 255 – 275)
Vasudeva II (c. 290 – 310)
Chhu (c. 310? – 325?)
Shaka I (c. 325 – 345)
Kipunada (c. 350 – 375)
* [[Heraios]] (c. [[1]] – [[30]]), forma Cuscan ƿealdend, ȝemǣnelīċe Cuscan ƿealdungtīd is ȝecnēatod
* [[Kujula Kadphises]] (c. [[30]] – c. [[80]])
* [[Vima Takto]], (c. [[80]] – c. [[105]]) elcor ȝehāten Soter Megas oþþe "Miċel Hǣlend."
* [[Vima Kadphises]] (c. [[105]] – c. [[127]]) se forma miċela Cuscena cāsere
* [[Kanishka|Kanishka I]] ([[127]] – c. [[147]])
* [[Vāsishka]] (c. [[151]] – c. [[155]]) 
* [[Huvishka]] (c. [[155]] – c. [[187]]) 
* [[Vasudeva I]] (c. [[191]] – [[225]]), se sīðemesta miċelra Cuscena cāsera
* [[Kanishka II]] (c. [[226]] – [[240]]) 
* [[Vashishka]] (c. [[240]] – [[250]])
* [[Kanishka III]] (c. [[255]] – [[275]])
* [[Vasudeva II]] (c. [[290]] – [[310]])
* [[Chhu]] (c. [[310]]? – [[325]]?)
* [[Shaka I]] (c. [[325]] – [[345]])
* [[Kipunada]] (c. [[350]] – [[375]])

== Ūtƿeardliċan bendas ==
* [http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm Metropolitan Museum capsule history]
* [http://www.grifterrec.com/coins/kushan/kushan.html New documents help fix controversial Kushan dating]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050209150827/http://home.comcast.net/~pankajtandon/home.html Antique Indian Coins]
* [http://www.kushan.org/ Brief Guide to Kushan History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040925185831/http://www.kushan.org/ |date=2004-09-25 }}

[[Flocc:Stǣr]]
[[Flocc:Asia]]
Se Cuscan Rīċe (c. 1e–3e ȝēarhundred) ƿæs rīċe þæt in his grēatan tīde, ymbe 105–250, leȝde of Tajikistan, tō Caspia sǣ, tō Afghanistan, tō Gandis dene.

Þes rīċe hæfþ se Cuscan folc of Yuezhi ȝemacod, þæt cōmon of tōdæȝes Xinjiang in Ċīnan, man þincþ hīe sind cynn tō þǣm Toharisc folc. Hīe hæfdon diplomatic contacts mid Rōme, Sassanisc Persea and Cīna, and for several centuries were at the center of exchange betƿēonum þǣm Ēaste and Ƿeste.

 Hēah Cuscan ƿealdendas 
Heraios (c. 1 – 30), forma Cuscan ƿealdend, ȝemǣnelīċe Cuscan ƿealdungtīd is ȝecnēatod
Kujula Kadphises (c. 30 – c. 80)
Vima Takto, (c. 80 – c. 105) elcor ȝehāten Soter Megas oþþe "Miċel Hǣlend."
Vima Kadphises (c. 105 – c. 127) se forma miċela Cuscena cāsere
Kanishka I (127 – c. 147)
Vāsishka (c. 151 – c. 155)
Huvishka (c. 155 – c. 187)
Vasudeva I (c. 191 – 225), se sīðemesta miċelra Cuscena cāsera
Kanishka II (c. 226 – 240)
Vashishka (c. 240 – 250)
Kanishka III (c. 255 – 275)
Vasudeva II (c. 290 – 310)
Chhu (c. 310? – 325?)
Shaka I (c. 325 – 345)
Kipunada (c. 350 – 375)
 Heraios (c. 1 – 30), forma Cuscan ƿealdend, ȝemǣnelīċe Cuscan ƿealdungtīd is ȝecnēatod
 Kujula Kadphises (c. 30 – c. 80)
 Vima Takto, (c. 80 – c. 105) elcor ȝehāten Soter Megas oþþe "Miċel Hǣlend."
 Vima Kadphises (c. 105 – c. 127) se forma miċela Cuscena cāsere
 Kanishka I (127 – c. 147)
 Vāsishka (c. 151 – c. 155) 
 Huvishka (c. 155 – c. 187) 
 Vasudeva I (c. 191 – 225), se sīðemesta miċelra Cuscena cāsera
 Kanishka II (c. 226 – 240) 
 Vashishka (c. 240 – 250)
 Kanishka III (c. 255 – 275)
 Vasudeva II (c. 290 – 310)
 Chhu (c. 310? – 325?)
 Shaka I (c. 325 – 345)
 Kipunada (c. 350 – 375)

 Ūtƿeardliċan bendas 
 Metropolitan Museum capsule history
 New documents help fix controversial Kushan dating
 Antique Indian Coins
 Brief Guide to Kushan History 

Flocc:Stǣr
Flocc:Asia