Amyntas of Galatia facts for kids

This ancient coin shows Athena on one side and Victory holding a scepter on the other. It was made during Amyntas's time.

Amyntas (whose name in ancient Greek was Ἀμύντας) was an important ruler in a region called Galatia (modern-day Turkey). He was a King of Galatia and also ruled over several nearby areas between 36 BC and 25 BC. He was known as a Tetrarch of the Trocmi, which means he was one of four rulers of a specific part of Galatia. Amyntas was the son of Brogitarus, who was also a king in Galatia, and Adobogiona, whose father was King Deiotarus.

Amyntas's Early Life and Rise to Power

Amyntas started his career as a secretary for King Deiotarus of Cappadocia. He was also a military commander, leading Galatian soldiers who helped the Roman generals Brutus and Cassius. However, before a big battle called the battle of Philippi in 42 BC, Amyntas switched sides and joined Mark Antony.

Expanding His Territory

Amyntas first ruled over a region called Lycaonia. He later took control of Derbe by defeating its prince. With help from the Romans, he also added Isaura and Cappadocia to his kingdom. After King Deiotarus died, Mark Antony made Amyntas the new king of Cappadocia in 37 BC. This meant Amyntas ruled Cappadocia as a "client king," which was a local ruler who worked with the Roman Empire.

Amyntas and the Roman Civil Wars

Amyntas was a supporter of Mark Antony during the Roman civil wars. However, just before the important battle of Actium, he changed his loyalty again and joined Octavian (who later became Emperor Augustus). This decision helped him keep his power.

The End of Amyntas's Reign

Amyntas was always trying to expand his kingdom and bring more areas under his control. He tried to conquer the tough mountain people around him. During one of these efforts, he took over a place called Homonada and killed its prince. But the prince's widow planned a trap for Amyntas. In 25 BC, Amyntas fell into her ambush and was killed. After his death, Galatia became a Roman province, meaning it was directly controlled by the Roman Empire.

Amyntas's Family Legacy

Amyntas had a son named Artemidoros of the Trocmi. Artemidoros was a Galatian nobleman who married a princess from another group called the Tectosagi. Their son was Gaius Julius Severus, who was also a nobleman from Acmonia in Galatia. Gaius Julius Severus had two sons who became important Roman officials:

• Gaius Julius Bassus, who was a governor (called a proconsul) of Bithynia in 98 AD.
• Gaius Julius Severus, who was a military officer (called a Tribune) in a Roman army unit known as the Legio VI Ferrata.