KINGS OF BOSPOROS. Dynamis, Queen, circa 21/0 BC-AD 7/8. 3 Units (Bronze, 19 mm, 6.55 g, 12 h). Lion crouching to right; above, star; all within wreath.
Rev. Wreath and palm; to right, monogram above Γ (mark of value). Anokhin 1355. HGC 7, -. MacDonald 244. RPC I online -. Very rare. Some traces of corrosion and with an old label on the reverse
, otherwise, about very fine.
From an old Swiss collection, formed in the early to mid 20th century.
As the daughter of Pharnakes II (63-47 BC) and granddaughter of Mithradates VI Eupator, Dynamis was first married by the usurper Asander to strengthen his claim to the Bosporan throne - after he had slain her father. As Asander aged, Dynamis acted as regent on his behalf until he ultimately committed suicide at the age of 93, following a rebellion by a certain Scribonius in 16 BC. Once again, the queen was married by the usurper, only to see her new husband killed by his own troops when the Pontic king Polemo I threatened invasion.
In 14 BC, Agrippa - Augustus' powerful lieutenant - arrived in the Black Sea with a Roman fleet, enforcing Polemo’s authority both in northern Asia Minor and the Bosporan kingdom. True to a recurring pattern, Polemo now married Dynamis. However, she soon fled to the mountainous hinterlands of the Crimea, where she found support among local tribes. In 8/7 BC, Polemo was killed in battle during a campaign against her. Ultimately, Augustus recognized Dynamis as regent for her minor son, Aspourgos. She died in 7/8 AD, after an extraordinary and eventful life.
