Lesson plan
Brogitarus
Brogitarus ( , ) was king of Galatia in Asia Minor between and 50 BC, reigning concurrently with his father-in-law Deiotarus Philoromaeus, who was also tetrarch of the Tolistobogii. By Deiotarus' daughter Adobogiona, Brogitarus was the father of Amyntas, tetrarch of the Trocmi and king of Galatia. Cicero claims that Brogitarus obtained his elevation to the kingship of Galatia alongside Deiotarus by bribing P. Clodius Pulcher, who was then tribune of the plebs at Rome. Brogitarus also became high priest of the Great Mother at Pessinus after the incumbent was removed through a law introduced by Clodius Pulcher. Cicero impugns not only this procedure but also Brogitarus' character, claiming that the priesthood "was sold for a large sum to Brogitarus, a profligate man, and unworthy of any such sacred character, especially as he had desired it not for the purpose of doing honour to the goddess, but only of profaning her temple." Deiotarus subsequently intervened to remove Brogitarus as high priest on the grounds that the latter had "polluted" its sacred ceremonies. The name 'Brogitarus' may be understood as brogi-taros 'border-crosser' or (less likely) brogi-taruos 'border-bull'.
Article summary
Brogitarus ( , ) was king of Galatia in Asia Minor between and 50 BC, reigning concurrently with his father-in-law Deiotarus Philoromaeus, who was also tetrarch of the Tolistobogii. By Deiotarus' daughter Adobogiona, Brogitarus was the father of Amyntas, tetrarch of the Trocmi and king of Galatia. Cicero claims that Brogitarus obtained his elevation to the kingship of Galatia alongside Deiotarus by bribing P. Clodius Pulcher, who was then tribune of the plebs at Rome. Brogitarus also became high priest of the Great Mother at Pessinus after the incumbent was removed through a law introduced by Clodius Pulcher. Cicero impugns not only this procedure but also Brogitarus' character, claiming that the priesthood "was sold for a large sum to Brogitarus, a profligate man, and unworthy of any such sacred character, especially as he had desired it not for the purpose of doing honour to the goddess, but only of profaning her temple." Deiotarus subsequently intervened to remove Brogitarus as high priest on the grounds that the latter had "polluted" its sacred ceremonies. The name 'Brogitarus' may be understood as brogi-taros 'border-crosser' or (less likely) brogi-taruos 'border-bull'.
Key claims
No claims recorded.
Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
No sources recorded.
Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.