8. SAUROMATES VIII. was the last king of Bosporus. His connection with the preceding is not mentioned. But we learn that he renewed the war with the Chersonites, and the two armies met at a place called Caphae. Here it was agreed to refer the issue of the contest to a single combat between Sauromates and Pharnaces, king of Cherson, in which Sauromates, though greatly superior in strength and stature, was vanquished and slain by his antagonist. From this time the kingdom of Bosporus became subject to the rulers of Cherson. The date of these events is unfortunately unknown to us. (Const. Porphyrog. l.c. pp. 253, 255.)
There are no coins extant of any of these three last princes. Concerning the kings of Bosporus, and their coins in general, see Cary, Hist. des Rois da Bosphore Cimmerien, 4to. Paris, 1752 ; Eckhel, vol. ii. pp. 373-382; Dumersan, Descr. des Médailles du Cabinet de M. Allier de Hauteroche, 4to. Paris, 1829, pp. 63-66; Mionnet, Suppl. vol. iv. p. 479, &c.
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