kingdom of bosporus...but who?I have searched for any information on these two

[eastray]

I have searched and still can't figure out whose portraits are on thes two coins. Early first century...when they were unsteady in their relationships with Rome
One portrait looks like Augustus,...but , for political reasons must likely be someone else (from just a little later).
The less realistic one, "poorer" coin must also be early, but I'm aware that they cared less than some about accuracy in portraits.

Any information would help. I am not good at reading inscriptions.

I am, by the way, very new to the forum.

So hello, and thanks.

[vozmozhno]

The top coin appears to be Augustus and Rhoimetalkes. The obverse portrait looks like Augustus and the inscription reads KAISAROS SEBASTOU which is Greek for "of Caesar Augustus". The reverse is a bit harder to make out but the inscription appears to be BASILEWS ROIMHTALKOU (Greek for "of King Rhoimetalkes").

Compare to this example: http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=112851

Voz Earl

EDIT: The second coin may be a barbarous imitation, I can't make heads or tails of the inscription. The letters are Greek but they don't seem to say anything I can decipher and some appear to be facing the wrong direction.

Compare: http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotvie...48c0be913b5d5a

EDIT EDIT: Also the Rhoimetalkes in question would appear to be from the Odrysian kingdom of Thrace http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhoemetalces_I as opposed to the one listed as King of Bosporus over a century later http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiberiu...s_Rhoemetalces.

[djmacdo]

vozmozhno nailed both of them perfectly.

[eastray]

Thanks vozmoshno and djmacdo for your information. Only been using this site a few days and I'm already ( as the Britts say) gobsmacked by the erudition apparent and readiness to help available.
I've had a heck of a time trying to learn more about the early stage of the Roman "alliance" with the Bosporan kings. It seemed most complicated during the rule of Augustus.
So now I have some reading to do, and, since I have finally joined the ANS and live in New York City...I hope to use their library and archives.
vozmoshno, spaceebo!