Creative Commons

The present thesis focuses on the Kingdom of Bosporus, emerged in 480 B.C., with a special interest on the developed cultural interactions among the Greek settlers and the local peoples. After an introductive study regarding the Greek colonization in the Black Sea area, and, more particular, the Kimmerian Bosporus region along with the foundation of the Greek Bosporan cities, the early relationships between the Greek settlers and the native populations till the formation of the local kingdoms, are examined. Regarding the region of the Kimmerian Bosporus, the Bosporan Kingdom emerged. In the course of this thesis, the reader shall be informed upon the circumstances, which led to the creation of the Kingdom of Bosporus as well as of its successive dynasties. Moreover, the historical frame of the Bosporan Kingdom till its submission to the Pontic rule ended by the death of Mithridates VI Eupator, in parallel with the deployed local interactions is viewed. Furthermore, the organization of the Bosporan chora till the Roman times is examined, with a special interest in the role of the native population regarding the development of the near and distant rural chora. Moreover, the Bosporan trade is being viewed in relation not only with the local peoples, but as well, with the Mediterranean, and more particular, Athens, followed by the attested cultural affiliations, mainly in art. In addition, the barrows located in the Kingdom of Bosporus, both on its European and Asiatic part are examined, while the extracted suggestions, often contradictory, based on their construction and, notably, on the finds from those burial mounds are of great interest. Finally, the Bosporan Art in the history of the Kingdom of Bosporus till the Roman Era, as attested through the influences of various artistic currents, is developed. Ultimately, the reader of this thesis, apart from being informed of the various cultural sways in the Bosporan Kingdom, will have the opportunity to form his own conclusions regarding the cultural identity of the Bosporan Dynasty, upon which, though the cultural syncretism is generally accepted, dispute among scholars still exists.