KINGS of BOSPOROS. Polemo I (Circa 14-9BC). Ae.

EX BIGA.

Condition : The coin is in worn condition, with significant surface wear that obscures some finer details. The patina is a mix of dark green and brown tones, showing the age of the coin. The texture is rough, indicating possible environmental exposure over time, but key elements of the design are still distinguishable.Very fine.

Material : Bronze.
Axis : 12h

Weight : 5.24 gr
Diameter : 19 mm

Polemo I, also known as Polemon I of Pontus or Polemo I of the Bosporus, was a king who played a significant role in the political landscape of the late Hellenistic period. He ruled the Kingdom of the Bosporus, a Greco-Scythian kingdom located around the modern-day Crimean Peninsula and the Taman Peninsula, and his reign reflected the complex and dynamic interplay of power between local rulers, the Roman Empire, and surrounding kingdoms.

Polemo I's background was tied to the political fortunes of Pontus, a kingdom located in northeastern Anatolia. He was a son of Zenon, a wealthy and influential orator, and his rise to power was facilitated by his connections to Rome. His father had been a loyal ally of the Roman Republic, which allowed Polemo to gain favor with Roman leaders and establish himself as a trusted figure in the eastern provinces of the Roman world.

Around 36 BCE, after the defeat of Mithridates VI of Pontus, Polemo was appointed by Mark Antony, the Roman triumvir, as a client king of Pontus. This appointment was part of Rome’s broader strategy of using client kings to maintain control over important regions without directly annexing them. As a client king, Polemo was expected to maintain loyalty to Rome while managing the affairs of his kingdom independently. His title as King of Pontus meant that he ruled over the remnants of the once-powerful Kingdom of Pontus, which had been severely weakened by Roman intervention and the defeat of Mithridates VI.

Polemo’s rule extended beyond Pontus, and his involvement in the Bosporan Kingdom came about through a marriage alliance. Around 16 BCE, he married Queen Dynamis, the widow of Asander, who had previously ruled the Bosporan Kingdom. This marriage gave him legitimacy as co-ruler of the Bosporan Kingdom, and he became the de facto king of this strategically important region, which controlled key trade routes along the Black Sea. His reign over the Bosporus strengthened the kingdom’s ties to Rome, as Polemo continued to serve as a client king under Roman authority.

However, Polemo’s rule was not without challenges. The Bosporan Kingdom had to contend with various threats, including pressure from neighboring Scythian and Sarmatian tribes, who were a constant presence on the kingdom’s borders. Polemo’s ability to maintain control over the Bosporan Kingdom was tested by these external forces, as well as internal struggles for power among the local nobility.

Despite these difficulties, Polemo managed to solidify his rule, largely due to his skillful diplomacy and military capabilities. He maintained strong relations with Rome, which provided him with support when needed. The Bosporan Kingdom, under his leadership, remained an important hub for trade between the Mediterranean world and the nomadic tribes of the Eurasian steppe. The Bosporan economy relied heavily on trade, particularly in grain, fish, slaves, and other commodities that were transported through the Black Sea to the Roman Empire and beyond.

Polemo’s reign was also marked by his efforts to maintain the Hellenistic traditions of the Bosporan Kingdom. The kingdom had long been a fusion of Greek and local Scythian cultures, and under Polemo’s rule, this blending of traditions continued. Greek was the primary language of administration and culture, while local customs and traditions were respected, especially among the non-Greek populations of the kingdom.

However, Polemo’s reign came to an end in conflict. Around 8 BCE, he was killed in battle while attempting to suppress a rebellion by the Aspurgians, a group associated with the local aristocracy who sought greater independence from his rule. His death marked a significant moment in the history of the Bosporan Kingdom, as it led to a period of instability before the Romans reestablished their control over the region by installing a new client king.

Polemo I’s legacy lies in his role as a key figure in the late Hellenistic period, navigating the complex relationships between Rome, the local kingdoms, and the surrounding barbarian tribes. His reign over both Pontus and the Bosporan Kingdom highlights the interconnected nature of the ancient Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, where politics, trade, and culture were shaped by the actions of both local rulers and the Roman Empire.

After Polemo’s death, the Bosporan Kingdom continued to function as a client state of Rome for several centuries, maintaining its position as a key player in the Black Sea region. Polemo I’s reign, although marked by challenges, helped to solidify the kingdom’s connections with Rome and ensured that it remained an important regional power even after his death.