Aspurgus consolidated Bosporan power by simultaneously cultivating client relationships with both Augustus and, later, Tiberius — a careful diplomatic balancing act that kept the kingdom nominally independent while Roman legions were never far from the northern Black Sea coast. His gold staters mark the beginning of a distinct dynastic coinage tradition that would continue, with increasing debasement, for over two centuries.
The regnal year 36 in the Bosporan era corresponds to 39/40 AD, placing this piece late in his reign, which ended around 38–39 AD by most scholarly reckonings.
Aspurgus consolidated Bosporan power by simultaneously cultivating client relationships with both Augustus and, later, Tiberius — a careful diplomatic balancing act that kept the kingdom nominally independent while Roman legions were never far from the northern Black Sea coast. His gold staters mark the beginning of a distinct dynastic coinage tradition that would continue, with increasing debasement, for over two centuries.
The regnal year 36 in the Bosporan era corresponds to 39/40 AD, placing this piece late in his reign, which ended around 38–39 AD by most scholarly reckonings.