MAIASK. 2018. No. 10

E.A. Molev (Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia)

ON THE TWO NAMES OF THE CAPITAL OF BOSPORUS

DOI: 10.24411/2219-8857-2018-00011

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Pages: 287—395

The article discusses the history of the two names of the capital of the Bosporus state, Panticapaeum and Bosporus. The author briefly describes the research of his predecessors and gives his assessment of the origin and understanding of both toponyms. A special attention is paid to the main source in this question, the Bibliotheca historica of Diodorus Siculus. Archaeological, epigraphic, and numismatic sources related to each of the two names are also considered. The author identifies the names of the capital of Bosporus, given in the writings of ancient authors, epigraphic and numismatic monuments, and provides them a brief description, which allows specifying the time of appearance and duration of the existence of both names. In conclusion, the author gives an explanation of the reasons for the phenomenon, so unusual for the ancient world, when the names of the polis and the city diverge.

Key words: Bosporus, Pontus, Panticapaeum, Archaianaktids, Spartokids, Polis.

Received November 11, 2018
Accepted for publication November 29, 2018

About the author:

Molev Evgenij Aleksandrovich (Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia). Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhniy Novgorod

E-mail: molev.eugeny@yandex.ru