Leukon II

Leukon II of Bosporus (Greek: Λέυκων Β'; c. 240 – 220 BC), also known as Leuco, seems to have been the second son of Paerisades II and a Spartocid ruler of the Bosporan Kingdom in 240 BC due to his surviving coinage.

Leukon II
King of the Bosporan Kingdom
Reign240–220 BC
PredecessorSpartokos IV
SuccessorHygiainon
BornUnknown
Bosporan Kingdom
Died220 BC
Bosporan Kingdom
ConsortAlkathoe
IssueSpartokos V
GreekΛευκών
HouseSpartocid
FatherPaerisades II
ReligionGreek Polytheism

Reign

He killed his brother, Spartokos IV, after discovering his adulterous affair with Leukon's wife Alkathoe, and assumed the throne. Alkathoe later supposedly killed Leukon in an act of revenge.[1]

Leukon also supposedly endured an economic crisis in the 3rd century BC, where he minted new coins with his own name, in order to maintain his kingdom.[2] He was the first Bosporan king to issue coins with his own name.[3]

Succession

He was succeeded by Hygiainon after his death. Hygiainon, however, was not a member of the Spartocid dynasty and may have been a supporter of Kamasarye, the daughter and heiress of Spartokos V, who was, at the time, too young to rule.[4]

References

  1. Elena Stolyarik. THE REIGN AND CHRONOLOGY OF THE ARCHON HYGIAENON. Leucon of Bosporus. JSTOR 43580389. Hygaienon succeeded to the throne after Leukon II was killed by his wife
  2. Elena Stolyarik. THE REIGN AND CHRONOLOGY OF THE ARCHON HYGIAENON. Leucon of Bosporus. JSTOR 43580389. This is indicated by the actions of Leukon II during the Bosporan economic crisis of the third quarter of the third century. He tried to restore normal circulation by issuing bronze coins...
  3. Encyclopedia,The Free Dictionary. Leucon II (c. 240–220), under whom, for the first time on the shores of the Bosporus, coins were minted in the king’s name.
  4. Elena Stolyarik. THE REIGN AND CHRONOLOGY OF THE ARCHON HYGIAENON. Leucon of Bosporus. JSTOR 43580389. before her marriage with her cousin Paerisades III, she was supported by an eminent member of the Bosporan aristocracy, Hygiaenon.

Collection of coins from the reign of Leukon II here


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