A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

6. SAUROMATES VI., a contemporary of the emperor Diocletian. No coins are extant of this prince, and our knowledge of his reign is derived solely from Constantine Porphyrogenitus, who informs us that he took advantage of the weakness of the Roman empire to raise a large army among the Sarmatian tribes, with which lie invaded Colchis, ravaged that country and the whole of Pontus, and advanced as far as the river Halys. Here, however, he was met by the Roman general Constantius, who held him in check, while Chrestus, king of Cherson, at the instigation of Diocletian, invaded the kingdom of Bosporus, and actually made himself master of its capital city. Sauromates in consequence found himself obliged to purchase peace and the restitution of his capital, by giving up all his prisoners, as well as abandoning his conquests. This expedition appears to have taken place in A. D. 291. (Const. Porphyrog. de Administ. Imper. 100.53, pp. 244-249, ed. Bonn.)