Dynamis (Bosporan queen) facts for kids

Dynamis, also known as Philoromaios (meaning "friend of Rome"), was a powerful queen who ruled the Bosporan Kingdom. She lived from about 67 BC to AD 8. Her kingdom was a "client state" of the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire under Emperor Augustus. Dynamis had a mix of Iranian and Greek Macedonian family roots.

She was the daughter of King Pharnaces II of Pontus and his Sarmatian wife. She had two brothers, Darius and Arsaces. Her grandparents were the famous rulers of the Kingdom of Pontus, Mithridates VI of Pontus and his sister-wife Laodice. Dynamis was married three times: to Asander, Scribonius, and Polemon I of Pontus. Some historians believe she might have had a fourth husband, Aspurgos.

Life of Queen Dynamis

Early Life and First Marriage

In 47 BC, Dynamis's father, King Pharnaces II, left Asander in charge of the Bosporan Kingdom while he went to fight the Romans in Anatolia. Asander rebelled against Pharnaces, hoping to gain favor with the Romans and become king himself. Pharnaces was eventually defeated by Julius Caesar.

After his defeat, Pharnaces returned to the Bosporan Kingdom but was defeated and killed by Asander. Asander then took control of the kingdom and married Dynamis. This marriage likely helped him make his rule seem more legitimate to the people.

Time in Exile

Asander's rule didn't last long. Julius Caesar supported Mithridates of Pergamon to become king of the Bosporus instead. Mithridates of Pergamon overthrew Asander. During this time, Asander and Dynamis were forced to leave their kingdom. They found safety with Dynamis's mother's Sarmatian tribe.

Second Reign with Asander

Later, Asander managed to overthrow Mithridates and regain control of the Bosporan Kingdom. The exact date is not known, but it was likely after Julius Caesar's death in 44 BC.

Asander began issuing coins with his name and later with the head of Octavian (who would become Emperor Augustus). These coins showed that his rule was recognized by the Romans. For the first three years, his coins called him "archon" (a ruler), and they also featured the phrase "philoromaios," meaning "friend of Rome." This showed his loyalty to Rome. His coins also mentioned his wife, Queen Dynamis. After three years, Asander's coins began to call him "king."

Marriage to Scribonius

After Asander died, Dynamis was put in charge of the Bosporan Kingdom as a regent. She then married a man named Scribonius. However, Scribonius was soon overthrown.

The Romans sent Polemon I of Pontus to fight against Scribonius. Before Polemon arrived, Scribonius was killed by the people of the Bosporus. They were afraid that Polemon might be appointed as their new king. Polemon defeated them, and eventually, the people surrendered. Polemon was then appointed king and married Dynamis with the approval of Emperor Augustus.

Queen with Polemon

By marrying Dynamis, Polemon became king of the Bosporan Kingdom. He was already king of parts of Pontus and Lesser Armenia. This marriage helped Dynamis keep her position on the Bosporan throne. It also brought the kingdoms of Pontus and the Bosporus together.

This was Polemon's first marriage and Dynamis's second. They did not have any children, as Dynamis was already older. Some historians believe this marriage was forced on Dynamis by the Romans to show their power.

Dynamis Rules Alone

The marriage between Dynamis and Polemon I lasted only a little over a year. Polemon later married another woman named Pythodorida of Pontus. After this, Dynamis is not mentioned in records for a while.

However, she reappeared on Bosporan coins and inscriptions in 8 BC. It seems that after Polemon's death, she regained control of the Bosporan Kingdom and ruled until about AD 7 or 8. Some historians think she might have found safety with nearby Sarmatian tribes during her absence, but there is no clear proof.

Dynamis's Sole Rule and Roman Ties

Ancient writings don't say much about Dynamis. The main information comes from coins and inscriptions found by archaeologists. These show that she ruled on her own for a period.

During her reign, Dynamis dedicated statues to Emperor Augustus and his wife Livia in her kingdom. In these inscriptions, she proudly called herself "Queen Dynamis philoromaios" (friend of the Romans). This shows her strong loyalty to Rome.

One inscription in Phanagoria, a city in her kingdom, reads:

The emperor, Caesar, son of god, | August (venerable), of all land and | all sea the overlord, | to her savior and benefactor, | queen Dynamis philoromaios

Another inscription in Panticapaeum, the capital, says:

The emperor Caesar, god, | son of god, August, to her| savior and benefactor, | queen Dynamis philoromaios.

These inscriptions prove Dynamis had a very close relationship with Augustus and Livia. The people of Phanagoria also put up a statue dedicated to Dynamis, calling her their "savior and benefactress." This inscription also highlighted her royal family line, stating she was the daughter of King Pharnaces and granddaughter of the great King Mithridates VI. This emphasized her right to rule.

Dynamis also dedicated a gravestone to a Sarmatian man, showing that she continued the practice of using Sarmatian warriors to help defend her kingdom.

Was Aspurgos Her Fourth Husband?

Some historians have suggested that Dynamis married Aspurgos, who later became king of the Bosporus, after Polemon's death. This idea is based on very limited evidence.

One theory suggests that Dynamis might have fled to a Sarmatian tribe after Polemon married Pythodorida. Her mother was Sarmatian, and these tribes had supported her father in the past. Aspurgos might have been the king of the tribe that sheltered her. He may have helped her organize a rebellion against Polemon.

However, many scholars disagree with this theory. They point out that the inscriptions and coins from Dynamis's reign do not support the idea that she married Aspurgos after Polemon's death.

See also

In Spanish: Dinamia para niños