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King Huviška, Yima, and the Bird: Observations on a Paradisiacal State

Publication date: 22.12.2015

ELECTRUM, 2015, Volume 22, pp. 107 - 114

https://doi.org/10.4467/20800909EL.15.005.3943

Authors

,
Touraj Daryaee
University of California, Irvine
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Soodabeh Malekzadeh
University of California, Irvine
All publications →

Titles

King Huviška, Yima, and the Bird: Observations on a Paradisiacal State

Abstract

This essay discuses the significance of the unique gold coin of the Kushan king, Huviška. The legend on the coin reads Imšao which recalls the ancient Indo-Iranian mythic figure, Yima/Yama. It is contended that the reason for which Yima/Yama is portrayed on the coin with a bird on his hand is not the idea of Glory and his reign, but rather the paradaisical state according to the Wīdēwdād, where Yima/Yama ruled over the world. It is contended that Huviška aimed at presenting himself in this manner to his subjects who were familiar with the Avestan and mythic Indo-Iranian lore.
 

References

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Information

Information: ELECTRUM, 2015, Volume 22, pp. 107 - 114

Article type: Original article

Authors

University of California, Irvine

University of California, Irvine

Published at: 22.12.2015

Article status: Open

Licence: None

Percentage share of authors:

Touraj Daryaee (Author) - 50%
Soodabeh Malekzadeh (Author) - 50%

Article corrections:

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Publication languages:

English