Abstract
The author analyzes the issue of Aspurgus’ campaign against the Scythians and Taurians. A widespread hypothesis suggests that Aspurgus made a military campaign to Crimean Scythia between AD 15 and 23. The Bosporan king concluded a military-defensive alliance with Chersonesus, which was sanctioned by Rome. That is why he should have protected Chersonesus against attacks of the Scythians and Taurians. During the campaign, Bosporan troops defeated Scythian Neapolis and a number of the Late Scythian settlements in the northwest of Crimea. A comprehensive study of various groups of sources allows the author to come to the conclusion that the old hypothesis is not supported by any evidence. A detailed study of written, archaeological and numismatic data allowed the author to suggest that in AD 11–13 Aspurgus made a victorious military campaign against the Scythians and Taurians who lived along the southwestern borders of the European Bosporus. The successful campaign was marked with the issue of copper coins bearing the victory symbols (Ares/trophy) and the appearance of the element “subjugating the Scythians and Taurians” in the royal title of Aspurgus (CIRB 39, 40).
Keywords
Aspurgus, the Bosporan kingdom, Crimea, Chersonesus, Scythians, Taurians.
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