НОВ ПОГЛЕД ВЪРХУ СВЕДЕНИЯТА ЗА ГЕТСКИЯ ВЛАДЕТЕЛ РОЛЕС
NEW LOOK AT THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE GETIC RULER RHOLES

Summary/Abstract: The text examines Cassius Dio’s information about the Getic dynast Rholes (CassDio, 51. 24. 6–7; 51. 26. 1), mentioned in connection with the description of the events during the campaigns of Marcus Licinius Crassus on the Lower Danube region against the Bastarnae (in 29 BC) and against the Getae under Dapyx’ control (in 28 BC). The brief overview of the opinions in contemporary historiography clearly presents the often discussed problems regarding the historical figure of Rholes. Some of the widely discussed questions are: what is his ethnical origin; whether Rholes and Oroles (Just. 32. 3. 16) are one and the same person; what is the scope of the territories over which he reigned; how to be more accurately characterized Rholes’ relations with Rome – was he among the Romans’ allies with the title amici et socii populi Romani or maybe as only Octavian’s „friend and ally” he had the status amicus et socius Caesaris; can the dynast be considered also as Mark Antony’s ally; since when do the relationship between Octavian and Rholes date back – maybe from the time immediately before or at the beginning of the Roman Civil War (32/31 BC), when both enemies in this conflict sought allies among the northern Thracian dynasts (which is a very possible as hypothesis). Careful reading of the source and events in Northern Thrace during the second half of 1st century BC allows being reconsidered the prevalent opinion in contemporary historiography that the lands of Rholes were in Dobrudja (mostly in Southern Dobrudja). The analysis of historical evidence leads to the hypothesis about the new location of Rholes’ territories, whose center was south of the Danube, between the rivers Iskar, or maybe to Tsibritsa (as western border) and Yantra/ perhaps to the valley of Rusenski Lom with its influxes (as eastern border). As a Roman ally, after the defeat of the other two Getic dynasts (Dapyx and Zyraxes), Rholes effectively established his control over the lands of the future Roman province Moesia Inferior. The historical role of this last significant king of the Getae, who achieved one of the largest territorial military-political unions of the Getae, still remains greatly underestimated. Military-political ferment in Thrace between 18/16 and 11BC probably mark the time of his death.

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