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Syrmus

335 BC – 294 BC

King of the Triballi, opponent of Alexander the Great

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About Syrmus

Lived 335 BC – 294 BC (aged 40–41). Syrmus was a sovereign.

Syrmus or Syrmos (also Syrmios, Ancient Greek: Σύρμος) was a king of the West Thracian Triballi tribe during the 330s BC.

He is mentioned by Arrian, Strabo and Plutarch.

After the death of his father, Philip II, Alexander the Great passed through the lands of the Odrysians in 335-334 BC, crossing the Haemus ranges and after three encounters (including the Battle of Haemus) defeated and drove the Triballians to the junction of the Lyginus at the Danube. Around 3,000 Triballi were killed, the rest fled. Syrmos and his people took refuge on the Danubian island of Peukê where the remnants of defeated Thracians were gathered. The successful Macedonian attacks terrorized the tribes around the Danube, so the autonomous Thracian tribes sent tributes to Alexander seeking peace. Alexander was satisfied with his victories and accepted peace so he could focus on the battles ahead in Asia.

Though Syrmus was later considered the eponymous founder of Sirmium, the roots are different, and the two words only became conflated later.

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Important facts

Born
335 BC
Birth century
Died
294 BC
Occupation
Positions held
King

People in Syrmus's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Syrmus's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Syrmus?

king of the Triballi, opponent of Alexander the Great

When was Syrmus born?

Syrmus was born in 335 BC.

When did Syrmus die?

Syrmus died in 294 BC.

What was Syrmus's occupation?

Syrmus was a sovereign.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Syrmus

· Wikidata: Q2758115

· DBpedia: Syrmus

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Syrmus. https://biography.guide/syrmus/

MLA: "Syrmus." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/syrmus/.

Chicago: "Syrmus." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/syrmus/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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