Siege of Theodosia (389 BC)

Siege of Theodosia
Part of Bosporan Expansion Wars
Date 389 BC Location Theodosia, Bosporus Result Tactical Theodosian Defense/Strategic Bosporan Defeat Death of Satyrus
Belligerents
Heraclea Pontica Theodosia	Bosporan Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
?	Satyrus I †
Casualties and losses
Medium	Medium

The Siege of Theodosia in 389 BC was the first of three sieges carried outagainst 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. This siege was carried out by Satyrus I, the father of Leukon.

Prelude

Satyrus had recently bribed Gylon, an Athenian official of Nymphaeum, to hand over the city. He has recently acquired the city of Phanagoria as well prior to laying siege to Theodosia. Satyrus then laid siege Theodosia to attempt to make it a part of his dominions.^[1]

Siege

Satyros I had been besieging Theodosia but had to shift his attention to Tirgatao, a Ixomataen queen who was wronged by Satyrus and began laying both fire and sword to his land back east. Heraclea Pontica came to the aid of Theodosia, perhaps possibly to protect their colony at Chersonesus from the rule of the expansionist Spartocids. Upon returning, Satyrus died while sieging at the age of 81, passing over his throne to two of his sons, Leukon and Gorgippos.

Aftermath

Around 20 years after the death of Satyros, his son Leukon began a second Siege of Theodosia in around 365 BC. Leukon lifted this siege due to Heraclea Pontica sending Tynnichus, one it's 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.^[2]

References