Ininthimeus

Ininthimeus , also known as Ininthimaios, Ininthimeos or Ininthimaeus, was the king of the Bosporan Kingdom, a Roman client state, from 234 to 239. His origin and lineage are uncertain; he might have been a member of the ruling Tiberian-Julian dynasty or alternatively perhaps a foreign usurper. Inintimeus's reign was marked by large-scale construction projects for defensive structures throughout the kingdom.

Biography Ininthimeus became king of the Bosporan Kingdom in 234, succeeding Cotys III and Rhescuporis IV. Although he used a different tamga (a type of seal/symbol) than his recent predecessors, it is still possible that he belonged to the same dynasty (the Tiberian-Julian dynasty). Like previous kings, Ininthimeus used the names Tiberius and Julius. It is also possible that he was a foreign usurper, perhaps of Sarmatian or Alan descent. If he was a Tiberian-Julian dynast, it is possible that he was a younger son of Cotys III and a brother of Rhescuporis IV.

The name Ininthimeus is reminiscent of Inismeus, a 1st-century Sarmatian king of Olbia. A Sarmatian connection of the name would not necessarily mean that Ininthimeus was a usurper; the Tiberian-Julian dynasty itself was of partly Sarmatian origin.

Ininthimeus ruled during a period of increasing barbarian pressure on the Bosporan Kingdom.

The coinage of Ininthimeus is unique among the coins of the Bosporan kings. In addition to including a bust of the king himself, the coins of Ininthimeus also include a bust of the deity Aphrodite Urania, facing Ininthimeus.

After a reign of only five years, Ininthimeus died in 239 and was succeeded as king by Rhescuporis V. It is possible that Inthimeus's death marked the beginning of dynastic conflicts. The later king Pharsanzes might have been closely connected to Inthimeus and might have fought with Rhescuporis V for the throne.