Tiberius Julius Cotys I
This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (October 2017) ) |
T. J. Cotys I | |
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T. J. Aspurgus | |
Mother | Gepaepyris |
Religion | Greek Polytheism |
Tiberius Julius Cotys I Philocaesar Philoromaios Eusebes,[a] also known as Cotys I of the Bosporus (fl. 45–63 AD), was a Roman client king of the Bosporan Kingdom.
Life
Cotys I was the second son of Roman client rulers
Through his maternal grandmother Antonia Tryphaena, he was a descendant of Roman triumvir Mark Antony. Tryphaena was the first great granddaughter born to the triumvir. Through Tryphaena, Cotys I was also related to various members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Through Aspurgus, Cotys I was a descendant of the Greek Macedonian Kings: Antigonus I Monophthalmus, Seleucus I Nicator and Regent, Antipater. These three men served under King Alexander the Great. Cotys I was named in honor of his late maternal grandfather, Roman client ruler of Thrace Cotys VIII.
Little is known on the life of Cotys I. Aspurgus headed the Bosporan domain until his death in 37 or 38.
Cotys I's brother despised the situation and mistrusted him and Aquila. Mithridates attempted to regain his throne. Mithridates was able to entice the leaders of the local tribes and deserters into becoming his allies. He was able to seize control of the local tribes and collect an army to declare war on Cotys and Aquila.
When Cotys and Aquila heard news of this war, they feared that the invasion was imminent. Both men knew they had the support of Claudius. Mithridates with his army engaged in war with Cotys I's army and Aquila's
Mithridates was forced by Claudius to surrender. Mithridates was captured and taken to Rome as a prisoner. He was displayed as a public figure beside the platform in the Roman Forum along with his guards and his expression remained undoubted. Mithridates appealed to the Emperor for mercy to be spared from a triumphal procession or capital punishment. Claudius was impressed with Mithridates’ mercy from his letter and allowed Mithridates to live. He was spared from any capital punishment and was exiled. Cotys I's brother lived as a destitute exiled monarch until his death.
From 45 until 63, Cotys I reigned as Roman client king of the Bosporan Kingdom. Sometime during his reign, Cotys married a Greek noblewoman called Eunice, through whom he had a son called Tiberius Julius Rhescuporis. Cotys named his son after Rhescuporis II, a Thracian prince and king, who was a paternal uncle of his maternal grandfather.
In 63, for unknown reasons, the Roman Emperor
References
- ISBN 978-1-4381-1027-1.
- ^ Association, American Philological (1974). Transactions of the American Philological Association. Vol. 107. For the Association by the Press of Case Western Reserve University. p. 5.
- ^ Revue numismatique (in French). Vol. 157. Blois. 2001. p. 291.
Sources
- Annales, 12.15–21.
- Cassius Dio, 60.8.
- Pliny, Natural History, 6.5.
Notes
Bibliography
- "Cotys (7)", William Smith (ed.) Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. 3. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1867.
External links
See also
- Bosporan Kingdom
- Cotys
- Roman Crimea