Mithridatic dynasty
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.[5] 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]
| 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 | |
| Dissolution | 47 BC 37 BC last ruler (Arsaces of Pontus, Roman-appointed) Rhescuporis VI |
They were prominent enemies of the Roman Republic during the Mithridatic Wars during the reign of Mithridates VI until the late 60s BC.[5] In 48 BC, the Roman client king of the Crimea, Pharnaces II, attempted to press his claim on Pontus, but was decisively defeated by Julius Caesar at the Battle of Zela.[9]
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
| 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 | ||
Family tree of Mithridatids, kings of Pontus
| Mithridates I Ctistes king of Pontus 281-266 BC MITHRIDATIDS | Antiochus I Soter | Achaeus I | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ariobarzanes king of Pontus 266-c.250 BC | Antiochus II Theos | Andromachus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mithridates II king of Pontus c.250-c.210 BC | Laodice | Seleucus II Callinicus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mithridates III king of Pontus c.210-c.190 BC | Laodice III | Antiochus III the Great | Laodice | Achaeus II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Antiochus | Antiochus IV Epiphanes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mithridates IV king of Pontus c.155-c.150 BC | Laodice | Pharnakes I king of Pontus c.190-c.155 BC | Nyssa of Seleucids | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ariarathes V king of Cappadocia | Nyssa of Mithridatids | Mithridates V Euergetes king of Cappadocia c.150-120 BC | Laodice VI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ariarathes VI king of Cappadocia | Laodice of Cappadocia | 1.Laodice | Mithridates VI of Pontus the Great king of Pontus .120-63 BC | 2.Monime 3.Berenice of Chios 4.Stratonice of Pontus 6.Hypsicratea | Mithridates Chrestus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Mithridates ruler of Colchis | (1) Arcathias general | (1) Machares king of Cimmerian Bospsrus | (1) Pharnaces II king of Pontus 63-47 BC | (1) Cleopatra ∞ Tigranes II of Armenia | (1) Drypetina | (2) Athenais Philostorgos II ∞ Ariobarzanes II of Cappadocia | (4) Xiphares prince | (5) Mithrithates I king of Cimmerian Bosporus | (illeg.) Adobogiona the Younger ∞ Castor of Galatia | (illeg.) Ariarathes IX king of Cappadocia | (illeg.) Orsabaris ∞ 1.Socrates Chrestus 2.Lycomedes of Comana | (illeg.) daughter ∞ Archelaus general | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Darius king of Pontus | Arsaces prince | Gepaepyris | 1.Asander Philicaesar Philoromaios king of Cimmerian Bosporus 47-17 AD | Dynamis queen of C. Bosporus 16-8 BC ∞ Scribonius king of C. Bosporus 17-16 BC | 3.Polemon I Pythodoros king of Pontus 16-8 BC | Pythodoris queen of Pontus 8 BC-38 AD | Archelaus king of Cappadocia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| T. J. Mithridates king of Cimmerian Bosporus 38 AD-45 | T. J. Cotys I king of Cimmerian Bosporus 45 AD-63 | T. J. Aspurgus king of Cimmerian Bospsorus 8 BC-38 AD | Polemon II king of Pontus 38 AD-74 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sources
- Dueck, Daniela (2002). Strabo of Amasia: A Greek Man of Letters in Augustan Rome. Routledge. ISBN 978-1134605613.
The independent Pontic dynasty originated in the highest circles of the ruling Persian nobility in Cius.
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 2002, p. 3.
- 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 (ed.). Armenian Pontus: The Trebizond-Black Sea Communities. Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, Inc. pp. 41, 37–66. ISBN 978-1-56859-155-1.
- Overy, Richard (2014-10-01). A History of War in 100 Battles. Oxford University Press. p. 89. ISBN 9780199390724.
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