Tiberius Julius Rhoemetalces
Tiberius Julius Rhoemetalces, also known as Rhoimetalces (Greek: Τιβέριος Ιούλιος Ροιμητάλκης, fl. 2nd century AD; died 153) was a prince and Roman Client King of the Bosporan Kingdom.
| Rhoemetalces | |
|---|---|
 Coin struck under "King Rhoemetalces" | |
| King of the Bosporan Kingdom | |
| Reign | 132–153 AD |
| Predecessor | Cotys II |
| Successor | Eupator |
| Died | 153 AD |
| House | Mithridatid |
| Father | Cotys II |
| Mother | Unknown |
| Religion | Greek Polytheism |
Life
When Cotys II died in 132, Rhoemetalces succeeded him. Rhoemetalces ruled as Bosporan King from 132 until his death in 153. He was a contemporary to the rule of the Roman Emperors Hadrian and Antoninus Pius. On coinage his royal title is in Greek: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΡΟΙΜΗΤΑΛΚΑΣ ("of King Rhoemetalces").
According to the Historia Augusta, at an unknown date in the reign of Antoninus Pius, Rhoemetalces travelled to Rome for a hearing of a dispute between him and the imperial commissioner. The nature and causes leading to this dispute are unknown. After the hearing had concluded, the Emperor sent him back to the Bosporan Kingdom.
Like his paternal grandfather Sauromates I, Rhoemetalces appears to have been religious and was involved in the worship of Aphrodite and her cult. This can be confirmed by an inscription found on a statue base from Phanagoria.
Tiberius Julius, king Rhoimetalces, a friend of the Caesar and of the Romans, pious, having gathered and augmented the lands of Thianneoi that were dedicated to by Letodoros, and pelatoi, according to the record on the monument that stands nearby, that decreased with time, restored them safe to the goddess, by the concern of Alexandros, son of Myreimos, the minister of religion, in 448, in the month of Apellaios, 20.
Not much more is otherwise known of his reign and life. He married an unnamed woman, and from this marriage he had a son called Eupator, who succeeded him on his death.