Seuthes, Son of Maesades, and the Problem of the Odrysian Paradynasts

The problem of the structural characteristics and development of the Odrysian paradynastic regions, as well as that of their genesis, is one of the main ones when investigating the institutional dimensions of the Odrysian state tradition. One of the few certain Odrysian paradynasts is Seuthes, son of Maesades, about whom Xenophon gives detailed information in the seventh book of his “Anabasis”, in which he describes how the relations between the paradynast and his subordinate Thracian tribes, and also the relations between him and his subordinate Odrysian aristocrats, are structured. In this regard, the analysis of this information is fundamental for revealing the institutional realities of the Odrysian paradynastic regions.