Seuthes III (
Ancient Greek: Σεύθης, Seuthēs) was a king of
Odrysia, a part of
Thrace, during the late 4th century BC (securely attested between 324 and 312 BC).
Following the campaigns of
Philip II in 347–342 BC a significant part of Thrace became subject to Macedon. While the three main rulers of Thrace attested during this period of Philip's reign disappear from the sources by the end of the 340s BC, it remains unclear to what extent native Thracian kingship was eliminated. The kings of Macedon governed Thrace through military governors (
stratēgoi):
Alexander son of Aeropus (341-334 BC), Memnon (334-327 BC),
Zopyrion (327-325 BC). After Philip's death in 336 BC, several Thracian tribes revolted against Philip's son
Alexander the Great, who defeated the
Getae and King
Syrmus of the
Triballi. Other Thracians sent troops to join Alexander's army, such as the Thracian prince Sitalces, attested as one of Alexander's commanders during his campaign in the East.
The tomb of the Thracian King Seuthes III has been identified as the
Golyamata Kosmatka mound, at a distance of 1 km south of the town of Shipka, north of the town of Kazanlăk in Bulgaria. It was discovered in 2004 by the Bulgarian archaeologist
Georgi Kitov. Items found inside included the golden wreath of the ruler, a golden kylix (shallow wine cup), greaves and a helmet, and applications for horse tackle, all exhibited in the historical museum of the town of Kazanlăk. Remarkable is the bronze head of the statue of Seuthes III buried ritually in front of the façade, which is quite detailed and realistic. It is considered important evidence for the Thracian
Orphic rituals.
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