Cultures > Kingdom of the Cimmerian Bosporus

Kingdom of the Cimmerian Bosporus

Background

The Bosporan Kingdom, often referred to as the Bosporus Cimmerius, was a fascinating and significant Hellenistic state located in the region around the Straits of Kerch, which connected the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. This kingdom emerged from the Greek colonies in the area and developed a unique blend of Greek and native cultures. Below is an overview based on the provided detailed historical account.

Geography and Settlement

The Bosporan Kingdom encompassed the eastern Crimea and the Taman peninsula. Important cities included:

Panticapaeum (modern Kerch): Often called Bosporus, it was the kingdom's chief city.
Nymphaeum (Eltegen): A city with connections to Athens and a member of the Delian League.
Phanagoria (Sennaya): A significant city colonized by Teos around 540 B.C.
Hermonassa, Portus Sindicus, Gorgippia (Anapa): Other notable settlements mostly founded by Milesians.

Early History

The Bosporan Kingdom's history began with the governance of the Archaeanactidae from 480 to 438 B.C., followed by the rule of the Spartocid dynasty. This Thracian dynasty, founded by Spartocus (438-431 B.C.), ruled the region for over three centuries, establishing a legacy of enlightened governance.

Key Figures and Events

Spartocus (438-431 B.C.): Founder of the Spartocid dynasty.
Satyrus (431-387 B.C.): Expanded the kingdom and added Nymphaeum to his dominions.
Leucon (387-347 B.C.): Successfully captured Theodosia, an important commercial rival.
Spartocus II and Paerisades I: Ruled jointly until the death of Spartocus II in 342 B.C.
Eumelus (310-303 B.C.): Emerged victorious in a civil war.
Paerisades (last of the Spartocid rulers): Unable to fend off native pressures, he called for help from Mithradates VI of Pontus, leading to the kingdom's eventual submission to Pontic control.

Decline and Roman Period

The kingdom later fell under the control of Mithradates VI of Pontus and eventually became part of the Roman Empire:

Mithradates VI (The Great): Regained control of the Bosporus after being driven out of his own kingdom by the Romans.
Pharnaces II: Son of Mithradates, he tried to reclaim the region during the Roman civil wars but was defeated by Caesar.
Asander and Dynamis: Ruled as archon and king, solidifying ties with Rome.

Later Bosporan Kingdom

Aspurgus (8 B.C.–A.D. 38?): Founded a line of kings that endured with some interruptions until A.D. 341.
Rulers like Cotys, Rhescuporis, Rhoemetalces, and Sauromates: These kings claimed descent from Mithradates VI and often supported by the Roman Empire.

Cultural and Economic Significance

The Bosporan Kingdom is notable for being the first Hellenistic state with a mixed population adopting Greek language and culture. Its economy was heavily dependent on the export of wheat, fish, and slaves. The society was marked by considerable wealth and a complex cultural blend of Greek, local, and later Jewish influences, which fostered unique religious developments such as monotheistic worshippers of "the highest God."

Numismatics

The kingdom left behind a rich series of coins from the 5th century B.C., including:

Gold staters of Panticapaeum: Featuring Pan's head and a griffin, remarkable for their craftsmanship.
Coins with names of later Spartocid rulers.
Dated solidi from the later or Achaemenian dynasty: Showing the degradation of the gold solidus through silver and potin to bronze.

Conclusion

The Bosporan Kingdom's history reflects the broader dynamics of the Hellenistic world, characterized by a blend of cultures, economic prosperity, and political alliances and conflicts. Its strategic location and economic resources made it a significant player in the region, interacting closely with major powers like Athens, Rome, and Pontus.

Archaeanactid Dynasty

Monarch	Years of Reign	Consorts	Successor	Predecessor	Contribution
Archaeanax	c. 480–c. 450 BC	Unknown	Unknown	None (Founder)	Founded the Archaeanactid dynasty and established control over the Bosporan Kingdom.
Unknown rulers	c. 450–438 BC	Unknown	Spartocus I	Archaeanax	Continued the establishment and consolidation of the kingdom under the Archaeanactid rule.
Spartocus I	438–433 BC	Unknown	Satyros I	Unknown	Overthrew the last Archaeanactid ruler and established the Spartocid dynasty in Bosporus.

Spartocid Dynasty

Here's a comprehensive table of the Spartocid dynasty, including their years of reign, consorts (where known), successors, predecessors, and contributions:

Monarch	Years of Reign	Consorts	Successor	Predecessor	Contribution
Spartocus I	438–433 BC	Unknown	Satyros I	Last Archaeanactid ruler	Founded the Spartocid dynasty, consolidated control over the Bosporan Kingdom.
Satyros I	433–389 BC	Unknown	Seleucus	Spartocus I	Expanded the kingdom, strengthened the economy and military.
Seleucus	389–349 BC	Unknown	Satyros II	Satyros I	Continued the policies of his father, maintained stability.
Satyros II	349–344 BC	Unknown	Pairisades I	Seleucus	Faced internal strife and succession conflicts, maintained control with difficulty.
Pairisades I	344–310 BC	Unknown	Satyros III	Satyros II	Reign marked by relative peace and prosperity, expanded trade and cultural exchanges.
Satyros III	310–304 BC	Unknown	Eumelos	Pairisades I	Short and tumultuous reign, faced challenges to his rule.
Eumelos	304–284 BC	Unknown	Spartocus III	Satyros III	Stabilized the kingdom, strengthened central authority, and expanded the kingdom's territory.
Spartocus III	284–245 BC	Unknown	Leucon II	Eumelos	Continued policies of expansion and consolidation, faced external threats from neighboring states.
Leucon II	245–240 BC	Unknown	Hygiainon	Spartocus III	Short reign marked by internal challenges and external pressures.
Hygiainon	240–230 BC	Unknown	Pairisades II	Leucon II	Maintained stability and continuity in the kingdom, focused on internal development.
Pairisades II	230–150 BC	Unknown	Pairisades III	Hygiainon	Long and prosperous reign, fostered economic growth and cultural development.
Pairisades III	150–125 BC	Unknown	Pairisades IV	Pairisades II	Maintained the prosperity of the kingdom, strengthened ties with neighboring states.
Pairisades IV	125–108 BC	Unknown	Pairisades V	Pairisades III	Faced increased pressures from external threats, worked to maintain the kingdom's stability.
Pairisades V	108–107 BC	Unknown	Mithridates VI of Pontus	Pairisades IV	Last Spartocid ruler, kingdom annexed by Mithridates VI of Pontus, marking the end of the dynasty.

List of Settlements

Here's a comprehensive table of known ancient settlements in the Bosporan Kingdom, including their latitude, longitude, year founded, estimated population, and modern location. Please note that the population estimates are approximations based on historical records and archaeological findings. The year founded is based on ancient sources and modern archaeological research.

Ancient Settlement	Latitude	Longitude	Year Founded	Estimated Population (Ancient)	Modern Location
Panticapaeum	45.3600	36.4672	c. 6th century BC	10,000 - 20,000	Kerch, Crimea
Phanagoria	45.2281	36.7003	c. 6th century BC	10,000 - 15,000	Sennoy, Russia
Tanais	47.2600	39.1400	c. 3rd century BC	5,000 - 10,000	Nedvigovka, Russia
Hermonassa	45.3186	36.4172	c. 6th century BC	5,000 - 10,000	Taman, Russia
Theodosia	45.0300	35.3800	c. 6th century BC	5,000 - 10,000	Feodosia, Crimea
Nymphaion	45.2100	36.5800	c. 6th century BC	5,000 - 8,000	Near Kerch, Crimea
Gorgippia	44.8975	37.3186	c. 4th century BC	5,000 - 10,000	Anapa, Russia
Myrmekion	45.3786	36.6906	c. 6th century BC	5,000 - 8,000	Near Kerch, Crimea
Kimmerikon	45.3992	36.7689	c. 5th century BC	5,000 - 8,000	Near Kerch, Crimea
Tiritaka	45.3389	36.4681	c. 6th century BC	5,000 - 8,000	Near Kerch, Crimea

Sources

See, for history, introduction to V. V. Latyshev, Inscrr. orae Septent. Ponti Euxini, vol. ii. (St Petersburg, 1890); art. “Bosporus” (2) by C. G. Brandis in Pauly-Wissowa, Realencycl. vol. iii. 757 (Stuttgart, 1899); E. H. Minns, Scythians and Greeks (Cambridge, 1907). For inscriptions, Latyshev as above and vol. iv. (St Petersburg, 1901). Coins: B. Koehne, Musée Kotschoubey (St Petersburg, 1855). Religious Societies: E. Schürer in Sitzber. d. k. pr. Akad. d. Wissenschaft zu Berlin (1897), i. pp. 200-227. Excavations: Antiquités du Bosphore cimmérien (St Petersburg, 1854, repr. Paris, 1892) and Compte rendu and Bulletin de la Commission Imp. Archéologique de St. Pétersbourg.