Gepaepyris facts for kids
Gepaepyris was a princess from Thrace, an ancient region. She later became a queen of the Bosporan Kingdom, which was a "client kingdom" of the Roman Empire. This means it was allied with Rome but ruled by its own kings and queens. The Bosporan Kingdom was one of the longest-lasting Roman client kingdoms.
Who Was Queen Gepaepyris?
Gepaepyris was the first daughter of Cotys III and Antonia Tryphaena, who were Roman client rulers of Thrace. Her family had a mix of Persian, Greek, and Roman backgrounds. Her grandmother was even related to the famous Roman leader, Mark Antony. This meant Gepaepyris was connected to important Roman families like the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
We know about Gepaepyris mostly from old writings carved into stone (called inscriptions) found in the Bosporan Kingdom and the ancient Greek city of Cyzicus (which is in modern Turkey). We also learn about her from ancient coins. Cyzicus was a second home for her family, and Gepaepyris grew up there. From the coins, we know her royal title was Queen Gepaepyris.
Her Royal Family and Rule
Not much is known about Gepaepyris's early life. She married Tiberius Julius Aspurgus, who was the Roman Client King of the Bosporan Kingdom. Aspurgus also had Greek and Iranian family roots. His mother was Queen Dynamis, and his father was King Asander.
Gepaepyris seems to have been the only one of her siblings to have children. She and Aspurgus had two sons:
- Tiberius Julius Mithridates - He was named after a famous king, Mithridates VI of Pontus. He passed away in 68 AD.
- Tiberius Julius Cotys I - He was named after his grandfather, Cotys VIII.
Through their son Cotys I, Gepaepyris and Aspurgus had many descendants who continued to rule the Bosporan Kingdom until the mid-4th century. These descendants often used old Thracian royal names like Cotys, Rhoemetalces, and Rhescuporis.
When King Aspurgus died in 38 AD, Gepaepyris ruled the Bosporan Kingdom alongside their first son, Mithridates, until 45 AD. Later, her other son, Cotys I, took over the rule from her and Mithridates.
