Prytanis of Bosporus

Prytanis
King of the Bosporan Kingdom
Reign 310–309 BC
Predecessor Satyros II
Successor Eumelos
Born Unknown
Bosporan Kingdom
Died 309 BC
"The Gardens"
Greek Πρύτανης
House Spartocid
Father Paerisades I
Mother Komosarye
Religion Greek polytheism

Prytanis I (Greek: Πρύτανης) was king of the Bosporan Kingdom from 310 to 309 BC. He was a son of Paerisades and the youngest brother of Satyros II and Eumelos. He was part of the Bosporan Civil War during 309 BC, between himself and his brothers, Eumelos having a claim to the throne and backing of Aripharnes, king of the Siraces.

Reign and defeat

Not much is known about Prytanis prior to the civil war, but he was the youngest son of Paerisades, and thus last in line of succession, and sided with his eldest brother Satyros when Eumelos launched his rival claim for the throne. Upon Satyros' death, his mercenary captain Meniscus brought the body back to Panticapaeum through Gargaza.[1] Here, Prytanis held a great funeral for his elder brother[2] and quickly went to Gargaza, taking both the army and royal power.[3] Eumelos sent envoys to Prytanis, but he ignored them and left a garrison in Gargaza so that he could quickly return to Panticapaeum in order to secure the throne for himself.[4]

While Prytanis was in Panticapaeum, Eumelos took Gargaza and several other cities.[5] Prytanis then took the field against his brother near the Maeotic Lake, but was defeated[6] and Eumelos forced him to turn over command of the army and abdicate in his favor.[7]

Death

Having already given Eumelos the throne, Prytanis once again entered Panticapaeum. As he walked through it, he knew that it had been the capital of his ancestors and presumably wanted his throne back. After attempting to take the throne, he was overpowered and fled to "The Gardens"[8] where he was cornered and killed.[9] Eumelos, to secure his throne, killed the families and friends of Satyros and Prytanis,[10] with Satyros's young son Paerisades only barely managing to get away to Scythia and getting refuge with Agarus.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Siculus, Diodorus. Book 22.24. led the army back to the city Gargaza, whence he conveyed the king's body by way of the river to Panticapaeum to his brother, Prytanis.
  2. ↑ Siculus, Diodorus. Book 22.24. Prytanis, after celebrating a magnificent funeral and placing the body in the royal tombs
  3. ↑ Siculus, Diodorus. Book 22.24. came quickly to Gargaza and took over both the army and the royal power.
  4. ↑ Siculus, Diodorus. Book 22.24. he did not heed him but he left a garrison in Gargaza and returned to Panticapaeum in order to secure the royal prerogatives for himself.
  5. ↑ Siculus, Diodorus. Book 22.24. Eumelus with the co-operation of the barbarians captured Gargaza and several of the other cities and villages.
  6. ↑ Siculus, Diodorus. Book 22.24. When Prytanis took the field against him, Eumelus defeated his brother in battle
  7. ↑ Siculus, Diodorus. Book 22.24. he forced him to accept terms according to which he gave over his army and agreed to vacate his place as king.
  8. ↑ Siculus, Diodorus. Book 22.24. he tried to recover his kingdom; but he was overpowered and fled to the so‑called Gardens
  9. ↑ Siculus, Diodorus. Book 22.24. where he was slain.
  10. ↑ Siculus, Diodorus. Book 22.24. After his brothers' death Eumelus, wishing to establish his power securely, slew the friends of Satyrus and Prytanis, and likewise their wives and children.
  11. ↑ Siculus, Diodorus. Book 22.24. The only one to escape him was Parysades, the son of Satyrus, who was very young; he, riding out of the city on horseback, took refuge with Agarus
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