Mithridatic dynasty

Mithridatic dynasty
Mithridatic dynasty
	Coin of Mithridates VI
Parent house	Pharnacid 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.^[3] The origins of the dynasty were located in the highest circles of the ruling Persian nobility in Cius.^[3] 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).^[5]^[6] The dynasty reached its greatest extent under the rule of Mithridates VI, who is considered the greatest ruler of the Kingdom of Pontus.^[7]

They were prominent enemies of the Roman Republic during the Mithridatic Wars during the reign of Mithridates VI until the late 60s BC.^[3] 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.^[8]

^ 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
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Dueck 2002, p. 3.
^ McGing, Brian (2004). "PONTUS". Encyclopaedia Iranica.
^ 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 2002, p. 3: "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.

[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

[FOOTNOTEDueck20023-3] Dueck 2002, p. 3.

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

[5] 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.

[6] Dueck 2002, p. 3: "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."

[7] 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.

[8] Overy, Richard (2014-10-01). A History of War in 100 Battles. Oxford University Press. p. 89. ISBN 9780199390724.

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