Mithridatic dynasty

Mithridatic
Mithridatic
	Bust of Mithridates VI
Parent house	possibly Achaemenid dynasty
Country	Kingdom of Pontus; Bosporan Kingdom
Founded	281 BC
Founder	Mithridates I Ktistes
Current head	Extinct
Final ruler	Pharnaces II of Pontus
Titles	King of Pontus; King of the Cimmerian Bosphorus;
Dissolution	47 BC ; 37 BC last ruler (Arsaces of Pontus, Roman-appointed); Rhescuporis VI

The Mithridatic dynasty, also known as the Pontic dynasty, was a hereditary dynasty of Persian origin,^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4] founded by Mithridates I Ktistes (Mithridates III of Cius) in 281 BC. The origins of the dynasty were located in the highest circles of the ruling Persian nobility in Cius.^[5] Mithridates III of Cius fled to Paphlagonia after the murder of his father and his predecessor Mithridates II of Cius, eventually proclaiming the Kingdom of Pontus, and adopting the epithet of "Ktistes" (literally, Builder).^[6]^[7] The dynasty reached its greatest extent under the rule of Mithridates VI, who is considered the greatest ruler of the Kingdom of Pontus.^[8]

They were prominent enemies of the Roman Republic, being the primary enemies of the Republic during the Mithridatic Wars led by Mithridates VI himself, and later under Pharnaces II, who was decisively defeated by Julius Caesar at the Battle of Zela.

History

The Mithridatids reached their greatest extent under the rule of Mithridates VI, who conquered the neighboring territories of Colchis and Trapezos, as well as succeeding in becoming ruler of the Bosporan Kingdom after the death of Paerisades V.

This however, did not last long. His son and successor was ousted from rule of the Pontic Kingdom after his defeat at Zela, leaving only the Bosporan Kingdom under direct Mithridatid control, who nonetheless also was ousted from power by the general Asander.

The dynasty, through Dynamis, the daughter of Mithridates VI, and her offspring, would continue to rule the Bosporan Kingdom until 342 AD. The Bosporan Kingdom would remain the longest lasting client-state of the Roman Empire. Their descendants include:

Mithridates III, who opposed Roman rule during the Roman-Bosporan War.
Cotys I, who supported the Romans against his brother Mithridates.
Sauromates II, who expanded the kingdom and inflicted serious injuries to the Scythian and Siracian tribes.
Rhescuporis VI, the final ruler of the Bosporan Kingdom who died in 342 AD.

Rulers of Pontus

**Kings of Pontus**
King	Reign (BC)	Consort(s)	Comments
Mithridates I Ctistes	281–266 BC		Ctistes meaning Builder
Ariobarzanes	266–250 BC		son of Mithridates I
Mithridates II	c.250 – c.210 BC	Laodice	Son of Ariobarzanes
Mithridates III	c.210 – c.190 BC	Laodice	Laodice may have been the daughter of Antiochus IV
Pharnaces I	c.190 – c. 155 BC	Nysa	Eldest son of Mithridates III
Mithridates IV Philopator Philadelphus	155–150 BC	Laodice	Laodice was his sister-wife.
Mithridates V Euergetes	150-120 BC	Laodice VI
Mithridates Chrestus	120-116 BC	None	Jointly Succeeded with brother Mithridates VI, who was forced into hiding. When brother came out Chrestus lost throne.
Mithridates VI Eupator Dionysus	120–63 BC	Multiple	Led Mithridatic Wars against Rome.
Pharnaces II	63–47 BC		Last direct ruler of the Kingdom of Pontus

Bust of Mithridats IV

References

↑ The Foreign Policy of Mithridates VI Eupator, King of Pontus, by B. C. McGing, page 11
↑ Children of Achilles: The Greeks in Asia Minor Since the Days of Troy, by John Freely, page 69-70
↑ Strabo of Amasia: A Greek Man of Letters in Augustan Rome, by Daniela Dueck, page 3
↑ McGing, Brian (2004). "PONTUS". Encyclopaedia Iranica.
↑ Dueck, Daniela (2002). Strabo of Amasia: A Greek Man of Letters in Augustan Rome. Routledge. p. 3. ISBN 978-1134605613. The independent Pontic dynasty originated in the highest circles of the ruling Persian nobility in Cius.
↑ McGing, B.C. (1986). The Foreign Policy of Mithridates VI Eupator, King of Pontus. BRILL. p. 15. ISBN 978-9004075917. In 302 Mithridates II fell under suspicion of conspiring with Cassander against Antigonus and was killed near Cius. His son Mithridates III of Cius inherited the dynasty but was warned by his friend Demetrius that he too was in danger from Antigonus and fled to Paphlagonia. Here he ruled for thirty-six years (302–266) at some stage proclaiming himself Mithridates Ctistes, founder of the kingdom of Pontus and the line of Pontic kings.
↑ Dueck, Daniela (2002). Strabo of Amasia: A Greek Man of Letters in Augustan Rome. Routledge. p. 3. ISBN 978-1134605613. Mithridates III of Cius fled to Paphlagonia after his father was killed by Antigonus and after he defeated certain Seleucid forces. In 281 BCE he became the first king of the Pontic dynasty and thus acquired the name "Ktistes", founder.
↑ Hewsen, Robert H. (2009). "Armenians on the Black Sea: The Province of Trebizond". In Richard G. Hovannisian. Armenian Pontus: The Trebizond-Black Sea Communities. Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, Inc. pp. 41, 37–66. ISBN 1-56859-155-1.

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[1] The Foreign Policy of Mithridates VI Eupator, King of Pontus, by B. C. McGing, page 11

[2] Children of Achilles: The Greeks in Asia Minor Since the Days of Troy, by John Freely, page 69-70

[3] Strabo of Amasia: A Greek Man of Letters in Augustan Rome, by Daniela Dueck, page 3

[4] McGing, Brian (2004). "PONTUS". Encyclopaedia Iranica.

[5] Dueck, Daniela (2002). Strabo of Amasia: A Greek Man of Letters in Augustan Rome. Routledge. p. 3. ISBN 978-1134605613. The independent Pontic dynasty originated in the highest circles of the ruling Persian nobility in Cius.

[6] McGing, B.C. (1986). The Foreign Policy of Mithridates VI Eupator, King of Pontus. BRILL. p. 15. ISBN 978-9004075917. In 302 Mithridates II fell under suspicion of conspiring with Cassander against Antigonus and was killed near Cius. His son Mithridates III of Cius inherited the dynasty but was warned by his friend Demetrius that he too was in danger from Antigonus and fled to Paphlagonia. Here he ruled for thirty-six years (302–266) at some stage proclaiming himself Mithridates Ctistes, founder of the kingdom of Pontus and the line of Pontic kings.

[7] Dueck, Daniela (2002). Strabo of Amasia: A Greek Man of Letters in Augustan Rome. Routledge. p. 3. ISBN 978-1134605613. Mithridates III of Cius fled to Paphlagonia after his father was killed by Antigonus and after he defeated certain Seleucid forces. In 281 BCE he became the first king of the Pontic dynasty and thus acquired the name "Ktistes", founder.

[8] Hewsen, Robert H. (2009). "Armenians on the Black Sea: The Province of Trebizond". In Richard G. Hovannisian. Armenian Pontus: The Trebizond-Black Sea Communities. Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, Inc. pp. 41, 37–66. ISBN 1-56859-155-1.