Hi, Evan and Michael
I think you're both correct, if we consider the Yuezhi were Kushans and the Alans extended from the major group. The Kushans arrived at the Jin court wearing chainmail, described as a "delegation from Kucha," in other words-- Kushans, not Sogdians. I find it hard to believe the Chinese waited until 716 to acquire a style of armor they knew about for 3 1/2 centuries. When seeing something new and valuable, the Chinese usually jumped on it.
Among other things introduced to China by the Yuezhi, we can add the sitting Buddha statue/concept. They were the first group on the Indian subcontinent to raise Sakyamuni from a person to a mythical being, the ultimate human sitting on a partially-opened lotus (the lotus a symbol of perfection). Prior to this Yuezhi transmutation, the Buddha was represented as standing... and he was thin.
Sakyamuni before he gained weight.
I think you're both correct, if we consider the Yuezhi were Kushans and the Alans extended from the major group. The Kushans arrived at the Jin court wearing chainmail, described as a "delegation from Kucha," in other words-- Kushans, not Sogdians. I find it hard to believe the Chinese waited until 716 to acquire a style of armor they knew about for 3 1/2 centuries. When seeing something new and valuable, the Chinese usually jumped on it.
Among other things introduced to China by the Yuezhi, we can add the sitting Buddha statue/concept. They were the first group on the Indian subcontinent to raise Sakyamuni from a person to a mythical being, the ultimate human sitting on a partially-opened lotus (the lotus a symbol of perfection). Prior to this Yuezhi transmutation, the Buddha was represented as standing... and he was thin.
Sakyamuni before he gained weight.
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb