April 29, 2025
Golden Staters of Queen Dynamis and Her Rule over the Bosporan Kingdom
This paper focuses on two rare gold staters issued by Queen Dynamis of the Bosporan Kingdom, dated 21/20 and 17/16 BCE. These coins, markedly different in iconography and style from those minted by her husband Asander, have often been interpreted as evidence of a political shift and the beginning of Dynamis' independent rule. However, a more complex and ambiguous picture emerges when placed alongside other sources—particularly epigraphic material and fragmentary accounts from ancient authors. Many scholars have questioned the political significance of these coins and have instead highlighted alternative scenarios regarding Dynamis' position and the nature of her authority. This paper aims to re-examine the available numismatic and textual evidence to understand the context of her rule better and evaluate the extent to which the gold staters reflect a genuine political transformation or serve other purposes within Bosporan royal propaganda.
The lecture will take place on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 3 p.m. at Unter den Linden 8, 10117 Berlin.
Author: Ulrike Peter