This battle initiated a succession crisis in the Bosporan Kingdom, ultimately resulting in Eumelus seizing the throne after defeating both brothers.
Key Facts
- Date
- 310/309 BC
- Conflict
- Bosporan Kingdom succession dispute
- Key river
- River Thatis
- Initial victor
- Satyros II (Bosporan Kingdom)
- Outcome of succession
- Eumelus seized the Bosporan throne
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following the death of Paerisades I, king of the Bosporan Kingdom, his eldest son Satyros II assumed the throne. His brother Eumelus contested this succession and assembled a military force with the support of the Siraces tribe and their king Aripharnes, setting the stage for armed conflict.
Satyros II met Eumelus and his Siraces allies in battle at the River Thatis. Satyros personally led a cavalry charge against Aripharnes at the centre, routing him, then turned to break the enemy right wing commanded by Eumelus. Despite the battlefield victory, Eumelus escaped to the Siraces capital on the River Thatis, where a subsequent siege cost Satyros heavy casualties and ultimately a mortal wound.
Satyros died from wounds sustained during the siege, ending his brief reign. His brother Prytanis then attempted to claim the throne but was defeated by Eumelus, who finally secured control of the Bosporan Kingdom, completing the succession he had contested from the outset.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Satyros II.
Side B
1 belligerent
Eumelus, Aripharnes (king of the Siraces).