Mithridatic dynasty
# Mithridatic dynasty

The Mithridatic dynasty, also known as the Pontic dynasty, was a hereditary dynasty of Persian origin, 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. 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). The dynasty reached its greatest extent under the rule of Mithridates VI, who is considered the greatest ruler of the Kingdom of Pontus.

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

## 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.

## Kings 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 |

## Family tree of Mithridatids, kings of Pontus

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mithridates I Ctistes king of Pontus 281-266 BC MITHRIDATIDS | Mithridates I Ctistes king of Pontus 281-266 BC MITHRIDATIDS | Mithridates I Ctistes king of Pontus 281-266 BC MITHRIDATIDS | Mithridates I Ctistes king of Pontus 281-266 BC MITHRIDATIDS | Mithridates I Ctistes king of Pontus 281-266 BC MITHRIDATIDS | Mithridates I Ctistes king of Pontus 281-266 BC MITHRIDATIDS | | | | | | | | | Antiochus I Soter | Antiochus I Soter | Antiochus I Soter | Antiochus I Soter | Antiochus I Soter | Antiochus I Soter | | | | | | | | | | | Achaeus I | Achaeus I | Achaeus I | Achaeus I | Achaeus I | Achaeus I |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ariobarzanes king of Pontus 266-c.250 BC | Ariobarzanes king of Pontus 266-c.250 BC | Ariobarzanes king of Pontus 266-c.250 BC | Ariobarzanes king of Pontus 266-c.250 BC | Ariobarzanes king of Pontus 266-c.250 BC | Ariobarzanes king of Pontus 266-c.250 BC | | | | | | | | | Antiochus II Theos | Antiochus II Theos | Antiochus II Theos | Antiochus II Theos | Antiochus II Theos | Antiochus II Theos | | | | | | | | | | | Andromachus | Andromachus | Andromachus | Andromachus | Andromachus | Andromachus | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mithridates II king of Pontus c.250-c.210 BC | Mithridates II king of Pontus c.250-c.210 BC | Mithridates II king of Pontus c.250-c.210 BC | Mithridates II king of Pontus c.250-c.210 BC | Mithridates II king of Pontus c.250-c.210 BC | Mithridates II king of Pontus c.250-c.210 BC | Laodice | Laodice | Laodice | Laodice | Laodice | Laodice | | | Seleucus II Callinicus | Seleucus II Callinicus | Seleucus II Callinicus | Seleucus II Callinicus | Seleucus II Callinicus | Seleucus II Callinicus | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mithridates III king of Pontus c.210-c.190 BC | Mithridates III king of Pontus c.210-c.190 BC | Mithridates III king of Pontus c.210-c.190 BC | Mithridates III king of Pontus c.210-c.190 BC | Mithridates III king of Pontus c.210-c.190 BC | Mithridates III king of Pontus c.210-c.190 BC | Laodice III | Laodice III | Laodice III | Laodice III | Laodice III | Laodice III | | | Antiochus III the Great | Antiochus III the Great | Antiochus III the Great | Antiochus III the Great | Antiochus III the Great | Antiochus III the Great | | | Laodice | Laodice | Laodice | Laodice | Laodice | Laodice | | | Achaeus II | Achaeus II | Achaeus II | Achaeus II | Achaeus II | Achaeus II |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Antiochus | Antiochus | Antiochus | Antiochus | Antiochus | Antiochus | | | Antiochus IV Epiphanes | Antiochus IV Epiphanes | Antiochus IV Epiphanes | Antiochus IV Epiphanes | Antiochus IV Epiphanes | Antiochus IV Epiphanes |
| | | | | | | Mithridates IV king of Pontus c.155-c.150 BC | Mithridates IV king of Pontus c.155-c.150 BC | Mithridates IV king of Pontus c.155-c.150 BC | Mithridates IV king of Pontus c.155-c.150 BC | Mithridates IV king of Pontus c.155-c.150 BC | Mithridates IV king of Pontus c.155-c.150 BC | Laodice | Laodice | Laodice | Laodice | Laodice | Laodice | Pharnakes I king of Pontus c.190-c.155 BC | Pharnakes I king of Pontus c.190-c.155 BC | Pharnakes I king of Pontus c.190-c.155 BC | Pharnakes I king of Pontus c.190-c.155 BC | Pharnakes I king of Pontus c.190-c.155 BC | Pharnakes I king of Pontus c.190-c.155 BC | Nyssa of Seleucids | Nyssa of Seleucids | Nyssa of Seleucids | Nyssa of Seleucids | Nyssa of Seleucids | Nyssa of Seleucids | | | | | | | | |
| Ariarathes V king of Cappadocia | Ariarathes V king of Cappadocia | Ariarathes V king of Cappadocia | Ariarathes V king of Cappadocia | Ariarathes V king of Cappadocia | Ariarathes V king of Cappadocia | Nyssa of Mithridatids | Nyssa of Mithridatids | Nyssa of Mithridatids | Nyssa of Mithridatids | Nyssa of Mithridatids | Nyssa of Mithridatids | | | | | | | Mithridates V Euergetes king of Cappadocia c.150-120 BC | Mithridates V Euergetes king of Cappadocia c.150-120 BC | Mithridates V Euergetes king of Cappadocia c.150-120 BC | Mithridates V Euergetes king of Cappadocia c.150-120 BC | Mithridates V Euergetes king of Cappadocia c.150-120 BC | Mithridates V Euergetes king of Cappadocia c.150-120 BC | | | | | | | | | Laodice VI | Laodice VI | Laodice VI | Laodice VI | Laodice VI | Laodice VI |
| Ariarathes VI king of Cappadocia | Ariarathes VI king of Cappadocia | Ariarathes VI king of Cappadocia | Ariarathes VI king of Cappadocia | Ariarathes VI king of Cappadocia | Ariarathes VI king of Cappadocia | Laodice of Cappadocia | Laodice of Cappadocia | Laodice of Cappadocia | Laodice of Cappadocia | Laodice of Cappadocia | Laodice of Cappadocia | 1.Laodice | 1.Laodice | 1.Laodice | 1.Laodice | 1.Laodice | 1.Laodice | Mithridates VI of Pontus the Great king of Pontus .120-63 BC | Mithridates VI of Pontus the Great king of Pontus .120-63 BC | Mithridates VI of Pontus the Great king of Pontus .120-63 BC | Mithridates VI of Pontus the Great king of Pontus .120-63 BC | Mithridates VI of Pontus the Great king of Pontus .120-63 BC | Mithridates VI of Pontus the Great king of Pontus .120-63 BC | 2.Monime 3.Berenice of Chios 4.Stratonice of Pontus 6.Hypsicratea | 2.Monime 3.Berenice of Chios 4.Stratonice of Pontus 6.Hypsicratea | 2.Monime 3.Berenice of Chios 4.Stratonice of Pontus 6.Hypsicratea | 2.Monime 3.Berenice of Chios 4.Stratonice of Pontus 6.Hypsicratea | 2.Monime 3.Berenice of Chios 4.Stratonice of Pontus 6.Hypsicratea | 2.Monime 3.Berenice of Chios 4.Stratonice of Pontus 6.Hypsicratea | | | Mithridates Chrestus | Mithridates Chrestus | Mithridates Chrestus | Mithridates Chrestus | Mithridates Chrestus | Mithridates Chrestus |
| (1) Mithridates ruler of Colchis | (1) Mithridates ruler of Colchis | (1) Mithridates ruler of Colchis | (1) Mithridates ruler of Colchis | (1) Mithridates ruler of Colchis | (1) Mithridates ruler of Colchis | (1) Arcathias general | (1) Arcathias general | (1) Arcathias general | (1) Arcathias general | (1) Arcathias general | (1) Arcathias general | (1) Machares king of Cimmerian Bospsrus | (1) Machares king of Cimmerian Bospsrus | (1) Machares king of Cimmerian Bospsrus | (1) Machares king of Cimmerian Bospsrus | (1) Machares king of Cimmerian Bospsrus | (1) Machares king of Cimmerian Bospsrus | (1) Pharnaces II king of Pontus 63-47 BC | (1) Pharnaces II king of Pontus 63-47 BC | (1) Pharnaces II king of Pontus 63-47 BC | (1) Pharnaces II king of Pontus 63-47 BC | (1) Pharnaces II king of Pontus 63-47 BC | (1) Pharnaces II king of Pontus 63-47 BC | (1) Cleopatra ∞ Tigranes II of Armenia | (1) Cleopatra ∞ Tigranes II of Armenia | (1) Cleopatra ∞ Tigranes II of Armenia | (1) Cleopatra ∞ Tigranes II of Armenia | (1) Cleopatra ∞ Tigranes II of Armenia | (1) Cleopatra ∞ Tigranes II of Armenia | | | (1) Drypetina | (1) Drypetina | (1) Drypetina | (1) Drypetina | (1) Drypetina | (1) Drypetina | | | (2) Athenais Philostorgos II ∞ Ariobarzanes II of Cappadocia | (2) Athenais Philostorgos II ∞ Ariobarzanes II of Cappadocia | (2) Athenais Philostorgos II ∞ Ariobarzanes II of Cappadocia | (2) Athenais Philostorgos II ∞ Ariobarzanes II of Cappadocia | (2) Athenais Philostorgos II ∞ Ariobarzanes II of Cappadocia | (2) Athenais Philostorgos II ∞ Ariobarzanes II of Cappadocia | | | (4) Xiphares prince | (4) Xiphares prince | (4) Xiphares prince | (4) Xiphares prince | (4) Xiphares prince | (4) Xiphares prince | (5) Mithrithates I king of Cimmerian Bosporus | (5) Mithrithates I king of Cimmerian Bosporus | (5) Mithrithates I king of Cimmerian Bosporus | (5) Mithrithates I king of Cimmerian Bosporus | (5) Mithrithates I king of Cimmerian Bosporus | (5) Mithrithates I king of Cimmerian Bosporus | | | (illeg.) Adobogiona the Younger ∞ Castor of Galatia | (illeg.) Adobogiona the Younger ∞ Castor of Galatia | (illeg.) Adobogiona the Younger ∞ Castor of Galatia | (illeg.) Adobogiona the Younger ∞ Castor of Galatia | (illeg.) Adobogiona the Younger ∞ Castor of Galatia | (illeg.) Adobogiona the Younger ∞ Castor of Galatia | (illeg.) Ariarathes IX king of Cappadocia | (illeg.) Ariarathes IX king of Cappadocia | (illeg.) Ariarathes IX king of Cappadocia | (illeg.) Ariarathes IX king of Cappadocia | (illeg.) Ariarathes IX king of Cappadocia | (illeg.) Ariarathes IX king of Cappadocia | (illeg.) Orsabaris ∞ 1.Socrates Chrestus 2.Lycomedes of Comana | (illeg.) Orsabaris ∞ 1.Socrates Chrestus 2.Lycomedes of Comana | (illeg.) Orsabaris ∞ 1.Socrates Chrestus 2.Lycomedes of Comana | (illeg.) Orsabaris ∞ 1.Socrates Chrestus 2.Lycomedes of Comana | (illeg.) Orsabaris ∞ 1.Socrates Chrestus 2.Lycomedes of Comana | (illeg.) Orsabaris ∞ 1.Socrates Chrestus 2.Lycomedes of Comana | (illeg.) daughter ∞ Archelaus general | (illeg.) daughter ∞ Archelaus general | (illeg.) daughter ∞ Archelaus general | (illeg.) daughter ∞ Archelaus general | (illeg.) daughter ∞ Archelaus general | (illeg.) daughter ∞ Archelaus general |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Darius king of Pontus | Darius king of Pontus | Darius king of Pontus | Darius king of Pontus | Darius king of Pontus | Darius king of Pontus | Arsaces prince | Arsaces prince | Arsaces prince | Arsaces prince | Arsaces prince | Arsaces prince | | | Gepaepyris | Gepaepyris | Gepaepyris | Gepaepyris | Gepaepyris | Gepaepyris | | | 1.Asander Philicaesar Philoromaios king of Cimmerian Bosporus 47-17 AD | 1.Asander Philicaesar Philoromaios king of Cimmerian Bosporus 47-17 AD | 1.Asander Philicaesar Philoromaios king of Cimmerian Bosporus 47-17 AD | 1.Asander Philicaesar Philoromaios king of Cimmerian Bosporus 47-17 AD | 1.Asander Philicaesar Philoromaios king of Cimmerian Bosporus 47-17 AD | 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 | Dynamis queen of C. Bosporus 16-8 BC ∞ Scribonius king of C. Bosporus 17-16 BC | Dynamis queen of C. Bosporus 16-8 BC ∞ Scribonius king of C. Bosporus 17-16 BC | Dynamis queen of C. Bosporus 16-8 BC ∞ Scribonius king of C. Bosporus 17-16 BC | Dynamis queen of C. Bosporus 16-8 BC ∞ Scribonius king of C. Bosporus 17-16 BC | 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 | 3.Polemon I Pythodoros king of Pontus 16-8 BC | 3.Polemon I Pythodoros king of Pontus 16-8 BC | 3.Polemon I Pythodoros king of Pontus 16-8 BC | 3.Polemon I Pythodoros king of Pontus 16-8 BC | 3.Polemon I Pythodoros king of Pontus 16-8 BC | | | Pythodoris queen of Pontus 8 BC-38 AD | Pythodoris queen of Pontus 8 BC-38 AD | Pythodoris queen of Pontus 8 BC-38 AD | Pythodoris queen of Pontus 8 BC-38 AD | Pythodoris queen of Pontus 8 BC-38 AD | Pythodoris queen of Pontus 8 BC-38 AD | Archelaus king of Cappadocia | Archelaus king of Cappadocia | Archelaus king of Cappadocia | Archelaus king of Cappadocia | Archelaus king of Cappadocia | Archelaus king of Cappadocia |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | T. J. Mithridates king of Cimmerian Bosporus 38 AD-45 | T. J. Mithridates king of Cimmerian Bosporus 38 AD-45 | T. J. Mithridates king of Cimmerian Bosporus 38 AD-45 | T. J. Mithridates king of Cimmerian Bosporus 38 AD-45 | T. J. Mithridates king of Cimmerian Bosporus 38 AD-45 | T. J. Mithridates king of Cimmerian Bosporus 38 AD-45 | | | T. J. Cotys I king of Cimmerian Bosporus 45 AD-63 | T. J. Cotys I king of Cimmerian Bosporus 45 AD-63 | T. J. Cotys I king of Cimmerian Bosporus 45 AD-63 | T. J. Cotys I king of Cimmerian Bosporus 45 AD-63 | T. J. Cotys I king of Cimmerian Bosporus 45 AD-63 | T. J. Cotys I king of Cimmerian Bosporus 45 AD-63 | | | T. J. Aspurgus king of Cimmerian Bospsorus 8 BC-38 AD | T. J. Aspurgus king of Cimmerian Bospsorus 8 BC-38 AD | T. J. Aspurgus king of Cimmerian Bospsorus 8 BC-38 AD | T. J. Aspurgus king of Cimmerian Bospsorus 8 BC-38 AD | T. J. Aspurgus king of Cimmerian Bospsorus 8 BC-38 AD | T. J. Aspurgus king of Cimmerian Bospsorus 8 BC-38 AD | | | | | | | | | Polemon II king of Pontus 38 AD-74 | Polemon II king of Pontus 38 AD-74 | Polemon II king of Pontus 38 AD-74 | Polemon II king of Pontus 38 AD-74 | Polemon II king of Pontus 38 AD-74 | 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.
