About Crocus
Crocus was a politician.
Crocus was Ptolemaic governor of Cyprus and admiral of the Ptolemaic navy in the second century BC.
Crocus is mentioned as governor (strategos) of Cyprus and admiral (nauarchos) in three inscriptions dated between 131 and 124 BC. His predecessor in this role was Seleucus, son of Bithys. During Crocus's tenure as governor there was a civil war between Cleopatra II and Ptolemy VIII, who made Cyprus his power-base. In one inscription, Crocus's title is given as strategos autokrator, which indicates that he held unlimited authority, analogous to a viceroy. Ptolemy VIII probably gave him this extra power so that he could concentrate on fighting the civil war.
After the end of the civil war, Crocus is attested in one more inscription, no longer in the role of governor, but as a close associate of the king (hypermachos), whom he probably accompanied back to Alexandria. His successor in Cyprus was Theodorus, the son of his predecessor.
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Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was Crocus?
Ptolemaic governor of Cyprus and admiral of the Ptolemaic navy
What was Crocus's occupation?
Crocus was a politician.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Crocus. https://biography.guide/crocus/
MLA: "Crocus." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/crocus/.
Chicago: "Crocus." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/crocus/.
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