Spartokos I

Spartokos I was the founder[1] and first ruler of the Spartocid dynasty in the Bosporan Kingdom. He usurped the former rulers of the Bosporus, the Archaeanactids, after being a mercenary under their command sometime in 438 BC.[2]

Spartokos I
Ruler of the Bosporan Kingdom
Reignc. 438-432 BC
PredecessorSagaurus(?)
SuccessorSatyros I and Seleukos
Bornc. 500 BC
Thrace
Died432 BC
Bosporan Kingdom
ConsortUnknown
Issue
Greekσπαρτόκο
HouseSpartocid
FatherUnknown
MotherUnknown

Life and Reign

Little to nothing is known of early life, just that, although disputed, Spartokos is believed to have been a member of the Odrysian dynasty of rulers in Thrace, possibly making him of Thracian origin.[3] What is known about him, is he seized the tyranny from the Archaeanactids either peacefully or by force, possibly using his background to get control of the Bosporan army.[4] He also held trade agreements with the Athenians, though not to the extent of his grandson Leukon.[5] He was however, spoken of during an audience of Athenians in the years 395-390 BCE, spoken of how he took thought of the Athenians as the most "important of the Greeks" and provided them first with his grain.[6] He also played a smaller, yet notable part in the Bosporan wars of expansion, a series of wars and conflicts that would expand his dynasty's realm.

Succession

Spartokos was succeeded by his sons Seleukos and Satyros who jointly reigned together. Satyros continued his father's aggressive policy of expansion and his grandson after him, creating a powerful kingdom in the Cimmerian Bosporus. His dynasty would endure some 300 years, and he would have at least 5 descendants to bear his name.

References
  1. Darel Tai Engen. Honor and Profit: Athenian Trade Policy and the Economy.
  2. John Morrison. Greek and Roman Oared Ships. Spartokos I was the founder of the Bosporan dynasty
  3. D. E. W. WORMELL. STUDIES IN GREEK TYRANNY—II. Leucon of Bosporus. JSTOR 23037564. It seems likely to connect that Spartokos was connected by birth to the Odrysian dynasty.
  4. Alexander Podossinov. Dynasty of the Spartocids.
  5. Darel Tai Engen. Honor and Profit: Athenian Trade Policy and the Economy. Spartokos I only provided sporadic trade-related services for Athens, and was not officially honoured.
  6. Darel Tai Engen. Honor and Profit: Athenian Trade Policy and the Economy.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.