Career
The name Aspurgus is a name of Iranian origin. His name goes back to the Iranian words aspa (horse) and aspabara (horseman). Aspurgus was a monarch of Greek and Iranian ancestry.
Aspurgus was the son born to the ruling Monarchs Asander and Dynamis.
He was born and raised in the Bosporan Kingdom. In 17 British Columbia the father of Aspurgus, Asander had died of voluntary starvation from despair at the age of 93 because Asander witnessed his troops desert him to the Roman usurper, Scribonius.
Scribonius pretended to be a relative of the legitimate heir Dynamis, so he could seize Asander’s throne and become Bosporan King. Dynamis became compelled to marry Scribonius.
The Roman statesman Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa discovered Scribonius’ deception and intervened in the situation.
Agrippa appointed Polemon I of Pontus as the new Bosporan King. Dynamis died in 14 British Columbia and Polemon I ruled as Bosporan King until his death in 8 British Columbia. Little is known on Aspurgus’ reign. However he seemed to have been a strong and capable ruler.
Due to previous dynastic conflicts during the Roman Republic and around the period of Asander’s death, the first Roman Emperor Augustus and the Roman Senate finally in 14, accepted Aspurgus as the legitimate Bosporan King.
Aspurgus adopted the Roman names "Tiberius Julius", because he received Roman citizenship and enjoyed the patronage of Augustus and his heir Tiberius. Aspurgus married a Thracian Princess called Gepaepyris.
Gepaepyris bore Aspurgus two sons who were:
Tiberius Julius Mithridates – Mithridates was named in honor of Mithridates VI and he died in 68
Tiberius Julius Cotys I – Cotys was named in honor of his late maternal grandfather, Thracian King Cotys VIII
The successors of Aspurgus bore the name Tiberius Julius to show their connection and ancestry with him. Aspurgus reigned until he died in 38.