Middle East Kingdoms

Pontus

Pontus was the name of the north-eastern province of Anatolia, a long and narrow strip of land on the southern coast of the Black Sea (Pontus Euxinus), from which the designation was later transferred to the country. Before this the province was called Cappadocia on the Pontus and even earlier it and neighbouring Paphlagonia had been occupied by the Kaskans. The country was shut in by high and wild mountain ranges, but was exceedingly fertile in the lower parts on the coast, in the interior, and on the plateaux. It belonged to the Persian empire until it was conquered by the Greek king, Alexander the Great. But even by about 400 BC the area was to a considerable degree independent of the Persians.

Control of Pontus during the lifetime of Alexander the Great is uncertain. One Zopyrion may have been satrap here, but he is also claimed as satrap of Thrace, so either the records are confused or he governed both regions for a time. Following Alexander's death, Pontus largely fell within the territories of the Empire of Antigonus until the death of that general in 301 BC, although that control was relatively loose and distracted at best. The founder of the kingdom was Mithradates I, son of Persian-descended Prince Mithradates of Cius on the Propontis (a Persian satrapy), who was murdered in 302 BC. Mithradates was in the service of Antigones when he took advantage of the confusion caused by the Diadochian Wars, rode into Pontus with only six horsemen, and was able to assume the title of king. Close relations were formed straight away with the Greeks, and the kingdom became heavily influenced by Hellenic culture.

302 BC

Mithradates takes control of Pontus from the fragmenting Greek empire and creates his own kingdom, which also encompasses part of Paphlagonia.

302 - 266 BC

Mithradates I Ktistes

Founded the kingdom.

273 BC

The Galatian Celts invade Greece again, destroying the Thracian kingdom and forcing the aristocracy to escape to the Greek colonies bordering the Black Sea, Pontus included. The kingdom of Galatia is created in Anatolia by the victorious Celts.

266 - c.258 BC

Ariobarzanes

c.258 - c.210 BC

Mithradates II

c.210 -185 BC

Mithradates III

185 - 169 BC

Pharnaces I

185 - 169 BC

Following Roman victories over Macedonia and the Seleucids in Syria (190 BC), Pharnaces allies the kingdom to Rome. In 183 BC he completes the conquest of neighbouring Paphlagonia.

169 - c.150 BC

Mithradates IV

c.150 - 120 BC

Mithradates V

120 - 63 BC

Mithradates VI Eupator (the Great)

c.121 - 88 BC

Mithradates proves to be a resourceful and powerful regional authority. Over the course of the first thirty years of his reign, he methodically captures and adds neighbouring kingdoms to his own realm, including Crimea, Paphlagonia, and Cappadocia, and makes Armenia an ally. Though opposed by the Romans in theory, little is done due mainly to Roman wars in Africa (Jugurtha), continuing social disorder, and the crisis of the Germanic (Cimbri and Teuton) invasions. Mithradates even employs Germanic mercenaries to ensure his victories which include warriors from the Bastarnae tribe.

c.101 BC

Mithradates annexes the western Georgian district of Kolkis (Colchis), which neighbours the kingdom of Iberia.

88 - 85 BC

The First Mithridatic War. Pontus is at war with Rome. Mithradates is defeated by Sulla who has to make a hasty deal before rushing back to Rome to deal with political problems.

83 - 81 BC

The Second Mithridatic War. Pontus is again at war with Rome.

74 - 64 BC

The Third Mithridatic War. Pontus is at war with Rome, but is defeated by Pompey.

63 - 47 BC

Pontus becomes a Roman province through Pompey, although some areas become principalities and free cities which are not absorbed into the empire until between 7 BC and AD 63.

63 - 37 BC

Pharnaces II

Son. Ruled a reduced kingdom.

63 BC

Upon Pompey's fall, Pharnaces, newly resurgent king of a reduced Pontus, takes advantage of Julius Caesar being occupied in Egypt, and reduces Kolkis, Armenia, and part of Cappadocia, defeating Domitius Calvinus, whom Caesar subsequently sends against him. Kolkis becomes part of the kingdom.

37 - 8 BC

Polemon I

Son. Died.

8 BC - AD 23

Pythodoris

Wife.

23 - 63

Polemon II

Son.

AD 63

Polemon is persuaded to abdicate the throne by the Roman Emperor Nero, and Pontus becomes part of the Roman province of Galatia.