Background
According to the Rabatak inscription, he was the son of Vima Takto and the father of Kanishka.
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Vima Kadphises
Edit Profile阎膏珍
Career
Emperor Vima Kadphises expanded the Kushan territory in Afghanistan, Pakistan and north-west India. He was the Kushan emperor to first introduce gold coinage, in addition to the existing copper and silver coinage. Most of the gold seems to have been obtained through trade with the Roman Empire.
The gold weight standard of approximately eight grams corresponds to that of Roman coins of the 1st century.
Gold bullion from Rome would be melted and used for the Kushan mints, into three denominations: the double stater, the stater, and the quarter starter (or dinara). The usage of gold testifies to the prosperity of the Kushan Empire from the time of Vima, being the center of trade between the Han Dynasty of China (where Vima was known as 阎膏珍), Central Asia and Alexandria and Antioch in the West.
The Kushan were able to maintain and protect the Silk road, allowing silk, spices, textiles or medicine to move between China, India and the West. In particular, many goods were sent by ship to the Roman empire, creating a return flow of gold coins, Greek wine and slaves.
Works of arts were also imported from all directions, as indicated by the variety and quality of the artefacts found in the Kushan summer capital of Bagram in Afghanistan.
Genealogy
The connection of Vima Kadphises with other Kushan rulers is described in the Rabatak inscription, which Kanishka wrote.
