The poet Isyllus - Bosporian or Epidaurian? Historiography of the issue

Throughout nearly one and a half centuries, the Hellenistic inscription from the Asclepieion of Epidaurus, found in 1885, draws attention of the researchers of classical history and philology. There were big disagreements on the origin of Isyllus of Epidaurus, the author of the inscription. Isyllus in detail described the circumstances of his arrival in Epidaurus and mentioned that he come “from Bosporus”. This article is concerned with various historiographical interpretations of the word “Bosporus”, an inscription from Asclepieion of Epidaurus. The main arguments, supporting the theory on the toponym Bosporian Kingdom as an antique state on the northern Black Sea Coast of the Kerch Strait (Cimmerian Bosporus), are considered. The features of the toponym use, justifying such understanding of the inscription, are also characterized. Therefore, Isyllus inscription reflects the presence of communication ties of the Bosporian State with universal Greek centers. As a result, further studies of the history and culture of antique colonies of the southern regions of Russia are very valuable.