Mithridates II (Pontus)

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Mithridates II was the third king of Pontus . He ruled from about 256/250 to about 220 BC. Chr.

Life

Mithridates II was the son of King Ariobarzanes of Pontus, who had entered into an alliance with the Galatians . Apparently there was a break with this people, because the Galatians devastated Pontus around 250 BC. When Mithridates II was still very young as heir to his father's empire. Eventually the Galatians could be driven out.

Mithridates II succeeded in getting the Seleucid dynasty to recognize his royal position. This served his around 245 BC. There was a wedding with a sister of Seleucus II , probably called Laodike , in which he received Phrygia as a dowry. Seleucus II probably took this step to get support for his fight against the Egyptian king Ptolemy III. and to obtain Hierax for the quarrel with his brother Antiochus . When a war broke out between the Seleucid brothers, Mithridates II Antiochus hurried to Hierax with a band of Celtic mercenaries, perhaps because he hoped that this would exhaust the power of the Seleucid Empire. In fact, Seleucus II suffered in the battle of Ankyra in 239 BC. A heavy defeat and could only escape with difficulty. It seems that Mithridates II had only nominally received Phrygia, since Antiochus Hierax there already around 238 BC. BC could raise taxes.

When Rhodes 227 BC Was shaken by a severe earthquake , Mithridates II helped the islanders with generous donations. He married in 222 BC. His daughter Laodike with Antiochus III. and his other daughter, also called Laodike, with Achaios, who ruled Asia Minor . 220 BC BC he attacked the city of Sinope , which received help from Rhodes and was able to withstand the attack of the Pontic king. The further fate of Mithridates II is unknown, as the (preserved) sources do not mention him later. He was followed by his son Mithridates III.

literature

Remarks

  1. ↑ Memnon of Herakleia in Felix Jacoby , The Fragments of the Greek Historians (FGrH), No. 434, F 1, 16, 1.
  2. ↑ Porphyrios , FGrH No. 260, F 32, 6; Justinus 38, 5, 3.
  3. ↑ Porphyrios, FGrH No. 260, F 32, 8; Phylarchos , FGrH No. 81, F 30; Polyainos 8, 61.
  4. ↑ Porphyrios, FGrH No. 260, F 32, 6.
  5. ↑ Polybios 5, 90, 1
  6. ↑ Polybios 5, 43, 1-4; 5, 74, 5; 8, 21ff.
  7. ↑ Polybios 4, 56.
predecessor Office successor
Ariobarzanes King of Pontus
256 / 250–220 BC Chr. 		Mithridates III.
personal data
SURNAME Mithridates II
BRIEF DESCRIPTION King of Pontus
DATE OF BIRTH 3rd century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH 3rd century BC Chr.