A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Σαυρομάτης) is the name of several kings of Bosporus, who are for the most part known only from their coins. These bear most commonly the head of the reigning Roman emperor on the one side, and that of the king of Bosporus on the other, in token of the dependent condition of the latter monarchs. From this circumstance we are fortunately enabled to determine, approximately, the period at which the several kings of the name respectively reigned in Bosporus ; but, besides this, many of their coins bear dates which have been ascertained to be computed from an era corresponding with the year B. C. 296, thus enabling us to fix still more accurately their chronology. (See Eckhel. vol. ii. p. 382.)