Kamasarye Philoteknos

Kamasarye II Philoktenos (Greek: Καμασαρύη Φιλότεκνος) or Comosarye was a daughter of Spartokos V^[1] and a Spartocid queen of the Bosporan Kingdom from 180-150 BC. She was the wife of her cousin Paerisades III^[2] and a granddaughter of Leukon II.

Reign[]

She is presumably the namesake of one of her ancestors named Komosarye, another Bosporan queen of relative significance who also married her cousin named Paerisades.^[3] After the death of her grandfather Leukon II, she was presumably too young to rule as heir so Hygiainon, a prominent member of the aristocracy, ruled as Archon and probably as regent presumably until she or her father were of age.^[4] He ruled until 200 BC, at which point her father Spartokos became king and ruled until 180 BC.

She became queen in 180 BC and was very politically active throughout her reign as queen being mentioned in many inscriptions,^[5] such as with her and her husband Paerisades being honored at Delphi for the treatment of foreigners in their kingdom.^[6] At some point during her reign, she took the surname "Philoteknos" which means "children-adoring" possibly to show a strong bond with her children. She bore presumably two sons to Paerisades, Paerisades IV and Paerisades V, the last kings of the Bosporan Kingdom.

Prior to 160 BC, she married Argotes, who may have been a Scythian prince and a son of an individual called Isanthos.^[7]

Succession[]

Kamasarye was succeeded by her presumably eldest son Paerisades IV in 150 BC, who took the surname "Philometor" perhaps to show a strong relationship with his mother. He was then later succeeded by Paerisades V in 125 BC, the last Spartocid ruler of the Bosporan Kingdom.

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