Eunus

Eunus
Bronze alloy coin minted by Eunus under the name of Antiochus. On the obverse is the head of Demeter, while the reverse shows a grain ear.[1][2]
King of Enna

self-proclaimed
Reignc. 135 BC – 132 BC
Coronationc. 135 BC
Died132 BC
Regnal name
Antiochus

Eunus (died 132 BC) was a Roman slave from Apamea in Syria who became the leader and king of the slave uprising during the First Servile War (135 BC–132 BC) in the Roman province of Sicily. According to the historian Florus, the only reason his name is remembered is due to the severe defeats he inflicted on the Romans.[3]

Eunus rose to prominence in the movement through his reputation as a prophet and wonder-worker and ultimately declared himself king.[4] He claimed to receive visions and communications from the goddess Atargatis, a prominent goddess in his homeland whom he identified with the Sicilian Demeter and the Roman Ceres.[5]

Some of Eunus' prophecies, namely that the rebel slaves would successfully capture the city of Enna and that he would be a king some day, came true.[6] Eunus and his revolt were successful for many years, repeatedly defeating praetorian armies and requiring consuls from 134-132 BC to be sent against him.[7][8] He was eventually defeated, dying in captivity in 132 BC.[9]

  1. ^ Robinson 1920, p. 175.
  2. ^ Hoover 2012, p. 114.
  3. ^ Flor., 2.7.19.4.
  4. ^ Urbainczyk 2014, pp. 52, 56.
  5. ^ Green 1961, p. 21.
  6. ^ Green 1961, p. 11.
  7. ^ Brennan 1993, p. 153.
  8. ^ Morton 2008, p. 97.
  9. ^ Urbainczyk 2014, p. 55; Morton 2013, 2.2.