Kings of Thrace. Byzantion. Rhoemetalkes I circa 11 BC-AD 12. Struck circa 10 BC
Bronze Æ

16 mm, 2,55 g

ΒΥΖΑΝ[ΤΙΩΝ], two torches / Monogram of Rhoemetalkes within wreath.

Very Fine

RPC I 1776; Pozzi Boutin 2427; Schönert-Geiss, Byzantion 1905.

Rhoemetalces I, the king of the Sapaean kingdom of Thrace from 11 BC to AD 12, succeeded his nephew Rhescuporis II of the Astaean lineage. A loyal ally to Emperor Augustus, Rhoemetalces I traced his lineage to Thracian King Cotys I. Fleeing Thrace during a revolt after Rhescuporis II's death in 13 BC, Rhoemetalces I returned after the revolt's end with Augustus restoring the kingdom. Becoming the ruler of all Thrace in 12 BC, he was described by Tacitus as "attractive and civilized." Following his death in AD 12, Augustus divided the realm between Rhoemetalces I's son Cotys III, who received the cultivated parts, and his remaining brother Rhescuporis II, who received the wilder frontier regions.