Lycomedes of Comana

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Lycomedes of Comana (Greek: Λυκομήδης; fl. 1st century BC) was a Bithynian nobleman of Cappadocian Greek descent who ruled Comana, Cappadocia in the second half of the 1st century BC.[1]

Biography

In 47 BC, Lycomedes was probably about 50 years old when he was named by Roman dictator, Gaius Julius Caesar, the priest of the goddess Bellona in the temple-state of Comana,[2][3] and sovereign, therefore, of the surrounding country.[4] The predecessor of Lycomedes was Archelaus, the grandson of the Pontic general Archelaus.[5] Strabo reports that with Roman client King Polemon I of Pontus, Lycomedes besieged a fortress held by Arsaces, a rebel chief who was guarding the sons of King Pharnaces II of Pontus, until Arsaces surrendered.[6]

Later Lycomedes was a supporter of Roman triumvir Mark Antony, who at some point enlarged the territory of Lycomedes' kingdom.[7] Due to Lycomedes’ partisanship with Mark Antony, he was deposed by Octavian after the Battle of Actium.[8] He was succeeded as priest and ruler, briefly, by the brigand-king Cleon of Gordiucome, and more permanently by Dyteutus.[9]

Lycomedes had married

Mithridates VI of Pontus,[11] who bore Lycomedes a daughter named Orodaltis.[10]

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ Erciyas 2006, p. 49.
  2. ^ Julius Caesar. De Bello Alexandrino, 66.
  3. ^ Syme & Birley 1995, pp. 166–169.
  4. ^ Elder 1867.
  5. ^ Lindsay 2005, p. 197.
  6. ^ Strabo. Geographia, XII.
  7. ^ Huzar 1978, p. 159.
  8. ^ Elder 1867 citing Strabo (Geographia, XII), Cassius Dio (Historia Romana, LI.2) and Appian (Mithridatic Wars, 114).
  9. ^ Cramer 1832, "Section V. Pontus", 307–308.
  10. ^ a b Gabelko 2009, p. 49.
  11. ^ Mayor 2010, p. 114.

Sources