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The Siege of Siracena was a
Bosporan siege led by Satyrus II and Meniscus on the fortified capital city of
the Siraces, Siracena. It that occurred in 309 BC during the First Bosporan
Civil War, the Siraces were a hellenized Sarmatian tribe that had sided with
Eumelos, a claimant to the Bosporan throne and a brother of Satyrus.
Opponents:
The Siraceni versus Bosporans and Scythians
Commanders and leaders:
Siraceni - Eumelos, Aripharnes
Bosporans - Satyros II † and Meniscus
Strength:
Siraceni - Infantry
Bosporans - Thracian peltasts, Greek hoplites, Scythian Infantry
Casualties and losses:
Siraceni - Low
Bosporans -High
Prelude:
Before the siege, the Bosporan army which had been composed of 34,000 troops
(20,000 Scythian Infantry, 10,000 Scythian cavalry, 2,000 Thracians peltasts
and 2,000 Greek mercenaries hoplites) had successfully defeated and routed
Aripharnes and Eumelos, and the Siracen army of 42,000 (22,000 Infantry, 20,000
cavalry) during the Battle of the River Thatis. Satyros gave immediate chase to
his younger brother, where he came up the Siracen capital city of Siracena
which was heavily fortified and situated on that the river Thatis. Knowing that
he could not take the city, he plundered the surrounding countryside and took
on many prisoners.
Siege:
Satyros II had his men cut through the trees that surrounded the easiest entry
way of the city for a total of 4 days, although on the third day, they began to
experience missile fire and arrows from the Siracens on the city's walls, they
could not fight back as the woods were too thick and could not see who was
firing at them, or from where. On the fourth day, they were able to reach the
wall and enter the city. As soon as he made it through, Meniscus fought with
great valor and boldness against his enemies, but had to retreat once a larger
force of Siracens had arrived at his location. Seeing his friend in danger,
Satyrus rushed to his aid and fought valiantly, but was struck with a spear to
his right shoulder and he was carried to camp. Satyrus died that night, and
Meniscus gave up the siege and took his body back to Panticapaeum.
Aftermath:
Meniscus returned the body of his friend Satyros to his younger brother
Prytanis, who then assumed the title of basileios and continued his brother's
war against his other brother Eumelos. Prytanis would later be spared, to only
be later killed after his attempt to usurp his brother Eumelos and he would
become ruler of the Bosporan Kingdom and expand its fame and naval power in the
Black Sea.
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