| Aspurgus Philoromaios | |
|---|---|
 | |
| King of the Bosporan Kingdom | |
| Reign | 7/8 – 37/38 AD[1] |
| Predecessor | Dynamis[1] (as queen) |
| Successor | Gepaepyris (as queen) |
| Died | 37/38 AD |
| Issue | T. J. Mithridates T. J. Cotys I |
| House | Tiberian-Julian dynasty |
| Father | Asander |
| Mother | Dynamis |
| Religion | Greek Polytheism |
Tiberius Julius Aspurgus Philoromaios (Greek:Τιβέριος Ἰούλιος Ἀσποῦργoς Φιλορωμαῖος,[a]fl. second half of 1st century BC and first half of 1st century AD; died 37/38) was a prince and Roman client king of theBosporan Kingdom.
The name Aspurgus is ofIranian origin, derived fromaspa (horse) andaspabara (horseman).[2]
Aspurgus was born toAsander, ruler of the Bosporan Kingdom andDynamis. He was the maternal grandchild to the previous Roman client king of the Bosporan andPontus,Pharnaces II and hisSarmatian wife.
In 17 BC, Asander died of voluntary starvation from despair at the age of 93 because he witnessed his troops desert him for the Romanusurper, Scribonius. Scribonius pretended to be a relative of Dynamis, so he could seize Asander's throne and become king. Dynamis was forced to marry Scribonius. The Roman statesmanMarcus Vipsanius Agrippa discovered Scribonius’ deception and intervened, appointingPolemon I of Pontus as the new Bosporan King. Dynamis married Polemon I, making him Aspurgus' stepfather.
When Dynamis died in 7 or 8 C.E., Aspurgus headed the Bosporan domain.[1] Little is known of Aspurgus’ reign. However, he seemed to have been a strong and capable ruler. Due to previous dynastic conflicts during theRoman Republic and around the period of Asander's death, theEmperorAugustus and theRoman Senate only accepted Aspurgus as the legitimate Bosporan King in 14 AD. Aspurgus adopted the Roman names "Tiberius Julius", because he receivedRoman citizenship and enjoyed the patronage of Augustus and his heir,Tiberius.
Aspurgus marriedGepaepyris, aThracian princess. Gepaepyris bore Aspurgus two sons:
Aspurgus reigned until his death in 37 or 38 AD.[1] On his death Aspurgus left his wife Gepaepyris, and two sons, Mithridates and Cotys. Gepaepyris succeeded her husband as sole ruler.[3]
When Dynamis died in 7 or 8 C.E., Aspurgus headed the Bosporan domain until his death in 37 or 38,
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)| Preceded by | King of the Bosporus 7/8–37/38 | Succeeded by |