This dissertation clarifies the iconography of the relief scenes from Kushan Mathura. Despite numerous piecemeal studies, no thorough assessment of the iconography was made before this dissertation (Introduction). Using published sources as well as many new photographs, a description of the life scenes of the Buddha includes the correction of several published identifications as well as an analysis of hitherto ignored secondary figures (Chapter 1). Jataka scenes are similarly treated (Chapter 2). A discussion of devotional and pleasure scenes (the nomenclature pleasure scenes recognizes the Buddhist concept of panca kamaguna, replacing the terms erotic/bacchanalian) addresses the question of what constitutes narrative art in the South Asian context, particularly in the abbreviated style adopted at Mathura. The progression from typical scenes to narrative art which is well documented in the ancient Near Eastern and Western art traditions is not repeated in South Asia (Chapter 3). The nature of the relationship between stone and textual representations of stories and themes is established by a systematic comparison of the two mediums. The world-views that emerge from reliefs and related texts are remarkably similar; specific instances point toward a shared cultural heritage rather than a causal link between stone and text (Chapters 1, 2, and 3). Buddha and Bodhisattva figures in the relief scenes are described. Through comparisons with large-scale images of the same period, we postulate that the criteria for establishing chronology of large-scale images (The 'Scythian' Period) cannot be successfully applied to the relief figures. The relief scenes concentrate on (')Sakyamuni and his immediate ancestors and less frequently on Maitreya, virtually excluding the elaborate pantheon of Bodhisattva's associated with Mahayana (Chapter 4). Finally, we summarize our major points and conclusions (Chapter 5). The Appendices include lists of iconographic features, of find-sites when known, and of inscriptions adjacent to relief scenes; an in-depth assessment of (')Sakra-Vajrapani; and a chart of the Buddha's life scenes comparing details represented in reliefs and in textual accounts.
