鄯善国马之用途初探

Analysis of the Use of the Horse in the Shanshan

从目前已经解读的佉卢文书来看,马是鄯善国皇家和军队的重要运输工具、政府官员和出公差人员的"专车"。马在人口买卖、土地买卖等事务中代替货币执行流通职能,日常生活中可以作为聘礼使用,收养子女时能够充当奶费,必要之时还可以充当政府对违法犯罪者的罚金。马在该国上层社会是权力的标志,在普通百姓处则是财富的象征。马在鄯善国用途广泛,与当地居民生活息息相关。

From Kharosthi documents, horse is not only the important transportation tool for royal and military, but also for works as officials and the business personnel＇s ＂car＂. Horse, performing currency functions, can be used as a dowry, as milk cost when adopting children, and also as the illegal and criminal penalties. Horses in upper class was a symbol of power; in ordinary population was a symbol of wealth. Horse had a prominent role in the country of Shanshan, and a wide connection with local people.