Tiberius Julius Teiranes

Who is Tiberius Julius Teiranes?

Tiberius Julius Teiranes, possibly known as Gaius Julius Teiranes or Teiranes was a prince and Roman Client King of the Bosporan Kingdom.

Teiranes was the third born son to the Bosporan King Rhescuporis V and his mother was an unnamed woman. He was of Greek, Iranian and Roman ancestry. His first brother was prince Pharsanzes and second brother was prince Synges.

Teiranes succeeded his second brother Synges, who died around 276 as the third co-ruler with their father Rhescuporis V. Later in 276, Teiranes’ father died and he succeeded Rhescuporis V. Teiranes ruled as Bosporan King from around 276 until his death in 279.

His royal title on coins is in Greek: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΕΙΡΑΝΟΥ or of King Teiranes. Teiranes was a contemporary to the rule of the period Crisis of the Third Century in the Roman Empire. During his reign, a copper-base alloy was added to the bronze and silver coins that were minted in the Bosporan Kingdom. Little is known on the life and reign of Teiranes.

During his short reign, Teiranes co-ruled with his first son from an unnamed woman called Sauromates IV who died in 276 and later his second son Theothorses. When Teiranes died in 279, he was succeeded by his second son Theothorses.