Bosporan–Heracleote War

Bosporan wars of expansion
Date	circa. 389 – 360 BCE
Location	Cimmerian Bosporus
Result	Bosporan Victory
Belligerents
Heraclea Pontica; Theodosia; Chernosseus	Bosporan Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Tynnichus; Memnon	Satyros I †; Seleukos †; Leukon I
Strength
40 Triremes; 200+ hoplites	Unknown
Casualties and losses
High	High

The Bosporan–Heracleote War was a long and enduring conflict between the states of Heraclea Pontica and the Bosporan Kingdom. It lasted decades, but ended after the Bosporans finally conquered the city-state of Theodosia in around 360 BCE.

Background

The Spartocids had early conquered the city-state of Kimmerikon, and had received Nymphaeum from Gylon of Cerameis.^[1] They were continuing their expansion into the surrounding area, and set their sights on Theodosia. Rivalries began as early was 393/2 BCE, with Satyros and his co-regent and brother Seleukos attempting to besiege Theodosia, but failing in their pre-attempt.

Sieges and Battles

First Siege

The Spartocids began their official assaults on Theodosia in 389 BCE, this assault was led by Satyros and Seleukos.^[2] Seleukos however, died early in the siege, leaving his brother to besiege the city alone.^[3] Satyros had underestimated his enemies in the east and was now caught in a war on two fronts, against his former ally Tirgatao.^[4] While besieging Theodosia, Satyros himself died.

Second Siege

After settling his affairs in order and solidifying his throne, Leukon, Satyros's eldest son and successor, besieged Theodosia once more. In response to the growing Bosporan Kingdom, Heraclea Pontica decided to intervene by sending their admiral Tynnichus with a small force to take out the Bosporans surrounding their colony. Tynnichus succeeded in lifting the siege with a stratagem, and Leukon was forced to flee.^[5]

Insurrection

As a result of his failure at Theodosia, Leukon's subjects were not pleased with their king. Leukon thus took precautions and asked the merchants for aid in securing his throne. He did this by taking loans from them, and telling them that if his throne was to be lost, they would not be repaid.^[6] The merchants then took up arms and assisted their king in his affairs.^[7] After securing this throne, Leukon made good in his promise and repaid the merchants.^[8]

Third Siege

Five years after his original siege, Leukon had noticed that Tynnichus and his forces had been recalled to Heraclea Pontica after Clearchus made himself tyrant. Noticing he had a chance, he seized the moment and besieged Theodosia, finally defeating the defenders and adding it to his dominions.

Skirmish

After his victory, Leukon was attacked in his own territory by the Heracleotes. After the Heracleotes had defeated Leukon's fleet, they landed near Panticapaeum and were met by a Greco-Scythian army led by Leukon himself. Noticing that his Greeks may waver, he positioned his Scythians to the rear with orders to strike down any person that fled.^[9] This kept his forces in line and he was able to repel the Heracleote assault.^[10]

Aftermath

The resulting Bosporan victory further asserted their control over the Taman peninsula, and paved the way for further expansion of the Bosporan Kingdom. The annexation of Theodosia allowed the Spartocids to use the port for their export of grain to the city-state of Athens, which would prosper under its trade with the Bosporan Kingdom.

The only later hostilities between the Bosporans and the Heracleotes is around the reign of Leukon II and his brother Spartokos IV, some time in 235 BCE.

References

^ Aeschines. Against Ctesiphon 22.23. here was a certain Gylon of Cerameis. This man betrayed Nymphaeum in the Pontus to the enemy, for the place at that time belonged to our city."
^ Trofimova, Anna A. (2007). Greeks on the Black Sea: ancient art from the Hermitage. Los Angeles, USA: Getty Publications. pp. 11–12. ISBN 9780892368839.
^ Burstein, Stanley M. (1974). "The War Between Heraclea Pontica and Leukon I of Bosporus". Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte. 23 (4): 401–416. JSTOR 4435411.
^ Polyaenus. StratagemsBook 8. pp. V.2. The confederates first invaded the country of Hecataeus, and afterwards ravaged the dominions of Satyrus
^ WORMWELL, D. E. W. (1946). "STUDIES IN GREEK TYRANNY—II. Leucon of Bosporus". Hermathena (68): 11–12. JSTOR 23037564. The din they made, taking care that at least two were playing, resembled the approach of a relieving army, and the besiegers fled.
^ Polyaenus. Stratagems 6.9.1. He told them, that there really was a conspiracy formed against him, and that he depended on them to be his guards, because if his government did not survive, the money that they had lent him would be lost
^ Polyaenus. Stratagems 6.9.1. The merchants therefore armed themselves, and some attended him as his bodyguards, while some were posted to defend the palace
^ Polyaenus. Stratagems 6.9.1. By the assistance of these men, and his particular friends, he caught and killed all who had been involved in the conspiracy; and when his government was thus secured, he repaid the money.
^ Polyaenus. Stratagems 6.9.1. Leucon observed that his troops did not show courage against the enemy; they were reluctant to fight, and easily routed
^ Polyaenus. Stratagems 6.9.1. he severity of these orders made his army more resolute, and put an end to the ravages of the enemy.

[1] Aeschines. Against Ctesiphon 22.23. here was a certain Gylon of Cerameis. This man betrayed Nymphaeum in the Pontus to the enemy, for the place at that time belonged to our city."

[2] Trofimova, Anna A. (2007). Greeks on the Black Sea: ancient art from the Hermitage. Los Angeles, USA: Getty Publications. pp. 11–12. ISBN 9780892368839.

[3] Burstein, Stanley M. (1974). "The War Between Heraclea Pontica and Leukon I of Bosporus". Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte. 23 (4): 401–416. JSTOR 4435411.

[4] Polyaenus. StratagemsBook 8. pp. V.2. The confederates first invaded the country of Hecataeus, and afterwards ravaged the dominions of Satyrus

[5] WORMWELL, D. E. W. (1946). "STUDIES IN GREEK TYRANNY—II. Leucon of Bosporus". Hermathena (68): 11–12. JSTOR 23037564. The din they made, taking care that at least two were playing, resembled the approach of a relieving army, and the besiegers fled.

[6] Polyaenus. Stratagems 6.9.1. He told them, that there really was a conspiracy formed against him, and that he depended on them to be his guards, because if his government did not survive, the money that they had lent him would be lost

[7] Polyaenus. Stratagems 6.9.1. The merchants therefore armed themselves, and some attended him as his bodyguards, while some were posted to defend the palace

[8] Polyaenus. Stratagems 6.9.1. By the assistance of these men, and his particular friends, he caught and killed all who had been involved in the conspiracy; and when his government was thus secured, he repaid the money.

[9] Polyaenus. Stratagems 6.9.1. Leucon observed that his troops did not show courage against the enemy; they were reluctant to fight, and easily routed

[10] Polyaenus. Stratagems 6.9.1. he severity of these orders made his army more resolute, and put an end to the ravages of the enemy.

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