A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

(Καύαρος), the last king of that portion of the Gauls which settled in Thrace and for many years exacted an annual tribute from Byzantium. It was chiefly by his mediation that Prusias I. and the Rhodians were induced to make peace with Byzantium in B. C. 219. He was ultimately slain in battle against the Thracians, who defeated and utterly destroyed all the Gauls in their country. (Plb. 4.46, 52.) Polybius calls him " a royal-hearted and magnanimous man" (Βασιλικὸς τῇ φύσει καὶ μεγαλόφρων), and says that he gave great protection to merchants sailing to the Euxine; he adds, however, that he was spoilt by the flattery of Sostratus of Chalcedon. (Plb. 8.24, and apud Athen. vi. p. 252d.) " Cavarus" was perhaps rather a national name than one peculiar to the individual, the Cavari having been a tribe of some consequence which dwelt on the eastern bank of the Rhone, between Avignion and Valence. (Strab. iv. p.186; Dalechamp, ad Athen. l.c.)

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