[1] While he looms large in the historical narrative thanks to his close collaboration with Xenophon, most scholars consider Seuthes II to have been a subordinate regional ruler (paradynast) and later claimant to kingship, but never the supreme king of the Odrysian state.
[3] Maesades had ruled as paradynast over several tribes in southeastern Thrace (the Melanditi, Thyni, and the Tranipsi) west of Byzantium, but he had been expelled in unclear circumstances.
His young son Seuthes then became the ward of Medocus/Amadocus I, who eventually restored him in parts of his father's lands, including Bisanthe, although others remained in the possession of another paradynast, a certain Teres II.
[6] Xenophon and his mercenaries (remnants of the Ten Thousand who had followed Cyrus the Younger into Persia) assisted Seuthes during a brief but effective campaign that eliminated local opposition to his rule in eastern Thrace.
[9] Seuthes may have quarreled with Amadocus II or his successor Hebryzelmis again; he was rescued from unspecified foes by the Athenian commander Iphicrates.