| |
The Siege of Theodosia in 389 was the first
of three sieges carried out against the city of Theodosia (modern day Feodosia)
by the rulers of the Bosporan Kingdom, who attempted time and time again to
annex the city to their dominions during the long Bosporan-Heracleote War. The
first of these sieges was carried out by Satyros I,
the father of Leukon I.
Opponents: Heraclea Pontica & Theodosia versus Bosporan Kingdom
Commanders and leaders:
Heraclea - ?
Theodosia - Satyros I † & - Seleukos †
Casualties and losses: Both Medium Medium
Prelude:
Satyros had recently bribed Gylon, an Athenian official of Nymphaeum, to hand
over the city. He had recently acquired the city of Phanagoria as well prior to
laying siege to Theodosia. He had also recently involved himself with the
Sindike Kingdom, attempting to gain influence with the king Hekataios by
deposing the king's wife, Tirgatao. Satyros then besieged Theodosia to attempt
to make it a part of his dominions.
Siege:
Satyros I had been besieging Theodosia with little success until he had to
shift his attention to Tirgatao, an Ixomataen queen who was wronged by Satyros
and began laying both fire and sword to his land back east, as well as having
killed his son Metrodoros. Heraclea Pontica came to the aid of Theodosia,
perhaps possibly to protect their colony at Chersonesus from the rule of the
expansionist Spartocids whose domain was ever increasing. Upon returning,
Satyros died of despair while sieging at the age of 81, having had two wars
that he was losing on two fronts. On his death, he passed over his throne to
two of his sons, Leukon I and Gorgippos who would later finish what he began.
Aftermath:
Around 20 years after the death of Satyros, his son Leukon began a second Siege
of Theodosia in around 365. Leukon lifted this siege due to Heraclea Pontica
sending Tynnichus, one of its generals, to aid the city and who succeeded in
doing so. The city was conquered around 5 years after that, but the Bosporans
had enraged the full wrath of Heraclea Pontica, and received another war from
Heracleia Pontica.
|
|
