Ardoksho

Ardoksho (Bactrian script Αρδοχϸο), also Romanised as Ardochsho, Ardokhsho and Ardoxsho, the Iranic goddess of wealth was a female deity of the Kushan Empire, in Central and South Asia during the early part of the 1st millennium CE. She is considered as an east Iranian goddess and alternate name of Lakshmi. She is known in the Avesta as Ashi.

The fire god Pharro (left) and Ardoksho, in a Kushan sculpture found at Gandhara. The style is influenced by Greco-Buddhist art and Ardoksho is shown holding a cornucopia (upper right), a feature apparently adopted from the Greek goddess Tyche.

She has often been regarded as analogous to the deity Hariti, found in some varieties of Buddhism. Analogies have also been drawn with the Persian goddess Anahita, the Greek Tyche, the Roman Fortuna and the Hindu Shri.

During the middle of the Kushan era, Ardoksho was usually the only deity other than a male counterpart, Oesho, depicted on Kushan coins.

• 
  Coin of Huvishka (150–180 CE), with standing Ardoksho and her name in Greek script.
• 
  Coin of Vasishka (222-240 CE) with goddess Ardoksho enthroned, and her name in Greek script
• 
  Coin of Kipunada. Circa 335-350 CE.
  Obverse: Kipunada standing left, sacrificing over altar.
  Reverse: Ardoxsho enthroned facing, holding investiture garland and cornucopia.

References

• British Museum, 2017, Ardochsho (Biographical details)