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 script	ΟΗϷΟ / Οηϸο
Affiliation	Shiva, Vayu
Consort	Ommo ("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

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

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

• 
  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

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

• Bopearachchi, Osmund (2003). De l'Indus à l'Oxus, Archéologie de l'Asie Centrale (in French). Lattes: Association imago-musée de Lattes. ISBN 2-9516679-2-2.