Spartokos I

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.

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.