Ininthimeus (Greek: Τιβέριος Ἰούλιος Ἰνινθίμηος, romanized: Tiberios Ioulios Ininthimeos), also known as Ininthimaios,[1][2]Ininthimeos[3] or Ininthimaeus,[4] was the king of the Bosporan Kingdom, a Roman client state, from 234 to 239. His origin and lineage are uncertain; he might have been a member of the ruling Tiberian-Julian dynasty or alternatively perhaps a foreign usurper. Inintimeus's reign was marked by large-scale construction projects for defensive structures throughout the kingdom.
Biography
Ininthimeus became king of the Bosporan Kingdom in 234, succeeding Cotys III and Rhescuporis IV.[5] Although he used a different tamga (a type of seal/symbol) than his recent predecessors, it is still possible that he belonged to the same dynasty (the Tiberian-Julian dynasty). Like previous kings, Ininthimeus used the names Tiberius and Julius.[6] It is also possible that he was a foreign usurper, perhaps of Sarmatian or Alan descent.[7] If he was a Tiberian-Julian dynast, it is possible that he was a younger son of Cotys III and a brother of Rhescuporis IV.[8]
The name Ininthimeus is reminiscent of Inismeus, a 1st-century Sarmatian king of Olbia.[9] A Sarmatian connection of the name would not necessarily mean that Ininthimeus was a usurper; the Tiberian-Julian dynasty itself was of partly Sarmatian origin.[10]
Ininthimeus ruled during a period of increasing barbarian pressure on the Bosporan Kingdom.[9] To combat threats from migrating tribes, Ininthimeus is known to have constructed new fortifications throughout the kingdom, including further developing the fortress of Iluraton in Panticapaeum.[11]
The coinage of Ininthimeus is unique among the coins of the Bosporan kings. In addition to including a bust of the king himself, the coins of Ininthimeus also include a bust of the deity Aphrodite Urania, facing Ininthimeus.[12]
After a reign of only five years, Ininthimeus died in 239 and was succeeded as king by Rhescuporis V.[5] Rhescuporis V claimed the kingdom by hereditary right;[6] he might have been the son of the previous ruler Sauromates III (r. 229–232).[13] It is possible that Inthimeus's death marked the beginning of dynastic conflicts. The later king Pharsanzes (r. 253–254) might have been closely connected to Inthimeus and might have fought with Rhescuporis V for the throne.[14]
^Settipani, Christian (2006). Continuité des élites à Byzance durant les siècles obscurs: les princes caucasiens et l'Empire du VI:e au IX:e siècle (in French). Paris: De Boccard. p. 408. ISBN978-2-7018-0226-8.