# Kujula Kadphises

> Founder of the Kushan empire (30–80)

**Wikidata**: [Q560157](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q560157)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kujula_Kadphises)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kujula-kadphises

## Summary
Kujula Kadphises was a human and politician who served as the founder of the Kushan Empire, a significant political entity in Central and South Asia. Ruling approximately between 30 and 80 AD, he established the dynasty that would shape the region's history for centuries. His legacy is defined by his role as the inaugural leader who unified the territories under Kushan rule.

## Biography
- Born: +0020-01-01T00:00:00Z (c. 20 AD)
- Nationality: Kushan (associated with the Kushan Empire)
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Founding the Kushan Empire (30–80 AD)
- Employer(s): Not applicable (Founder and Ruler)
- Field(s): Politics, Statecraft, Empire Building

## Contributions
Kujula Kadphises is credited with the foundational act of establishing the Kushan Empire, an empire spanning Central and South Asia that existed from 30 to 375 AD. His primary contribution was the political unification that initiated this era, setting the stage for the empire's expansion and longevity. He is historically recognized as the first ruler of this dynasty, marking the inception of the empire in 30 AD.

## FAQs
**Who was Kujula Kadphises?**
He was a human and politician known specifically as the founder of the Kushan Empire. He held the position of ruler during the empire's initial formation period from 30 to 80 AD.

**When did Kujula Kadphises rule?**
His reign is documented as occurring between 30 AD and 80 AD. He was born around 20 AD and passed away in 80 AD, marking a 50-year lifespan and a 50-year rule.

**What is the significance of the Kushan Empire?**
The Kushan Empire was a major political entity in Central and South Asia that lasted from 30 AD to 375 AD. Kujula Kadphises is the historical figure responsible for its inception.

**Are there visual records of Kujula Kadphises?**
Yes, numismatic evidence exists in the form of coin portraits, including images titled "Kujula Kadphises (coin portrait).jpg" and "KujulaKadphisesCoinAugustusImitation.jpg."

## Why They Matter
Kujula Kadphises matters because he initiated the Kushan Empire, a pivotal political structure in ancient Central and South Asia. Without his leadership, the specific historical trajectory of the region from 30 AD onwards, characterized by the 345-year duration of the empire, would not have occurred. His establishment of the dynasty created a framework for subsequent rulers and influenced the geopolitical landscape of the era.

## Notable For
- Founding the Kushan Empire in 30 AD.
- Serving as the first ruler of the Kushan dynasty until 80 AD.
- Being identified as a human and politician in historical records.
- Having his likeness preserved on coinage, including imitations of Augustus.
- Holding the Wikidata identifier /m/03f8w1 and various other database references.
- Being the subject of 31 Wikipedia sitelinks across different languages.

## Body

### Identity and Classification
Kujula Kadphises is classified as a human, representing a unique member of the species *Homo sapiens*. In terms of professional role, he is categorized as a politician, defined as a person who holds or seeks positions in government. His specific instance of being is recorded under the identifier Q5, while his citizenship is linked to the entity Q25979, corresponding to the Kushan context. His occupation is formally recorded as Q82955.

### Lifespan and Chronology
The historical timeline places his birth on January 1, 20 AD (+0020-01-01T00:00:00Z). His life concluded on January 1, 80 AD (+0080-01-01T00:00:00Z). This 60-year lifespan coincides with his active period of founding and ruling the Kushan Empire, which is noted to have an inception date of +0030-00-00T00:00:00Z. The empire itself continued to exist until 375 AD, spanning a total of 345 years after his death.

### Political Achievements
His most significant political achievement was the founding of the Kushan Empire. This entity is described as an empire located in Central and South Asia. As the founder, he is the primary figure associated with the empire's inception in 30 AD. His leadership defined the early years of the state, establishing the political continuity that lasted until 375 AD.

### Visual and Numismatic Legacy
Archaeological and numismatic records preserve the image of Kujula Kadphises. Two specific image files are associated with his entry: "Kujula Kadphises (coin portrait).jpg" and "KujulaKadphisesCoinAugustusImitation.jpg." These artifacts serve as primary visual sources for his historical representation. The coinage includes imitations of Augustus, indicating political or cultural connections to the Roman world or the adoption of Roman iconography.

### Digital and Academic Identifiers
Kujula Kadphises is extensively cataloged across various knowledge bases and academic resources. He holds the Wikidata ID /m/03f8w1 and the VIAF ID 156202. His presence is noted in the biography/Kujula-Kadphises entry and carries the identifier 156202. Other specific database references include P2949 (Kadphises-3), P2950 (kujula_kadphises_kushan), P3222 (kujula-kadfises), and P6404 (kujula-kadphises). Further identifiers include P9545 (226067), P10565 (361727), P11835 (12088), P12597 (73351), P13030 (person/1055), and P13591 (person/c097e1b9-16c2-409f-a28a-2e4e4a38398c). The category P373 is also assigned to "Kujula Kadphises."

### Historical Reach and Documentation
The subject has a significant digital footprint, with a sitelink count of 31 across various Wikipedia projects. The primary Wikipedia title for his entry is "Kujula Kadphises." The Wikidata description succinctly summarizes him as the "Founder of the Kushan empire (30–80)." This documentation ensures his historical role is preserved and accessible across multiple languages and platforms.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013