A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

3. SAUROMATES III. was the successor of EUPATOR, and must have become king of Bosporus before the death of M. Aurelius. His earliest extant coin bears the head of that emperor, with the date of 474 (A. D. 178). Others have the

heads of Commodus, Severus, and Caracalla, the latest date being A. D. 210. His reign must thus have comprised a period of more than thirty-two years. He was succeeded by RHESCUPORIS III. The annexed coin has the head of Commodus, with the date 475 (A. D. 180). [*](* It must be observed that the years reckoned from the Bosporan era, began in the summer, so that the same date would correspond to two calendar years. As Commodus did not reign alone before the spring of A. D. 180, the above coin cannot have been struck previous to that date.)