IMPERIAL MATCHMAKER The Involvement of the Roman Emperor in the Arrangement of Marriages between Client Kings Matthew William Shillam MA (Classics) ANU 2007 A thesis submitted for the degree of PhD Ancient History of the University of New England, June 2016. Acknowledgements I wish to first acknowledge the work of two giants in this field without which this thesis could not be written: David Braund and the late Richard Sullivan. I wish to further thank Prof. Braund for his time, encouragement and illuminating discussions for the short time I was ensconced at Exeter University – his guidance was invaluable for the progression of this thesis. I would also like to thank my supervisor, Associate-Professor Matt Dillon for his encouragement, humour and unfailing support – his enthusiastic reassurance gave me the confidence to convert my blatherings into a thesis. My assistant supervisor, Dr Sarah Lawrence also requires my thanks for her time, effort and, particularly, diligence. I would also like to acknowledge the generosity of the Keith and Dorothy Mackie Scholarship (and the University of New England) for providing me with the funds to travel to Exeter University to further research my thesis and to discuss not only with Prof. Braund but also Prof. Daniel Ogden who generously provided me with his insights, particularly for Chapter 1. I would also like to acknowledge the splendid service at the Department of Coins & Medals at the British Museum, as well as the similar departments at the Ashmolean and Fitzwilliam Museum, for allowing me access to study (and appreciate) some of the unique coins issued by Roman client kings. I believe I’m also supposed to thank my wife … 2 Abstract This thesis demonstrates that the emperor Augustus (27 BC to AD 14) did encourage and instigate marriage-alliances between the families of Roman client kings, as suggested by the sources. Analysis of the marriage-alliances formed before Augustus’ reign reveals a number of characteristics that did not apply to many of the marriage-alliances formed during Augustus’ reign and beyond. New or modified characteristics have assisted in the determination of which marriage-alliances were arranged by the emperor. Furthermore, this thesis also assesses the possible aims that compelled Augustus to arrange or encourage these marriages, how this policy complied with the emperor’s other beliefs and policies regarding marriage in general, and whether his policy was continued by his successors. Finally the repercussions and problems that arose from binding the client kings together through intermarriage are examined and the policy assessed in terms of success or failure. The study of Augustus’ policy of intermarriage between client kings also illuminates the nature and role of client kings within the framework of the principate and shed further light on their relationship with the emperor. 3 Certification I certify that the substance of this thesis has not already been submitted for any degree and is not currently being submitted for any other degree or qualification. I certify that any help received in preparing this thesis and all sources used have been acknowledged in this thesis. _________________________________________________ Signature 4 Table of Contents Table of Figures ......................................................................................................................... 9 Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................... 10 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 13 Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 14 Ancient Sources ................................................................................................................ 16 Modern Sources ................................................................................................................ 25 Scope ................................................................................................................................... 34 Client Kings ......................................................................................................................... 36 Thesis Outline ...................................................................................................................... 39 Chapter 1. Marriage-alliances before Augustus ....................................................................... 44 Marriage-alliances before Pydna ......................................................................................... 46 Passive Marriage-alliances ............................................................................................... 53 Defensive Marriage-alliances ........................................................................................... 55 Aggressive Marriage-alliances ......................................................................................... 58 Remedial Marriage-alliances ............................................................................................ 64 Legitimising Marriage-alliances....................................................................................... 68 Rewarding Marriage-alliances ......................................................................................... 72 Other Elements of Marriage-alliances .............................................................................. 75 Marriage-Alliances after Pydna ........................................................................................... 77 The Senate and the Client Kings ...................................................................................... 78 The Marriage-alliances of Mithridates IV Eupator .......................................................... 92 The Marriage-alliances of Armenia ................................................................................. 98 Republican Generals and the Client Kings..................................................................... 103 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 108 Chapter 2. Marriage-alliances under Augustus ...................................................................... 113 Augustus and the Client Kings .......................................................................................... 114 Restoring Kingdoms to Native Dynasties ...................................................................... 116 Client Kingdoms as Integral Parts of the Empire ........................................................... 124 Audiences with Kings .................................................................................................... 130 Augustus: conciliator et fautor .......................................................................................... 133 The Marriages .................................................................................................................... 136 1. Juba II and Cleopatra Selene ...................................................................................... 138 2. Mithridates III of Commagene and Jotape ................................................................. 140 3. Alexander of Judaea and Glaphyra of Cappadocia .................................................... 143 4. Polemo of Pontus and Dynamis of the Bosporus ....................................................... 147 5 5. Antipas of Judaea and Phasaelis of Nabataea ............................................................ 150 6. Archelaus of Cappadocia and Pythodoris of Pontus .................................................. 153 7. Juba of Mauretania and Glaphyra of Cappadocia ...................................................... 156 8. Sampsigeramus of Emesa and Jotape of Commagene ............................................... 160 9. Herod Archelaus of Judaea and Glaphyra of Cappadocia .......................................... 162 10. Cotys of Thrace and Antonia Tryphaena of Pontus ................................................. 163 Summation of the Marriage-alliances ............................................................................ 167 Intra-dynastic Marriages .................................................................................................... 169 Polygamy amongst Client Kings ....................................................................................... 171 Herod .............................................................................................................................. 171 Polemo ............................................................................................................................ 173 Juba ................................................................................................................................. 176 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 177 Chapter 3. Marriage-alliances after Augustus ........................................................................ 181 Emperors and Client Kings ................................................................................................ 182 Tiberius ..........................................................................................................................