Mithridates II of Pontus

Mithridates II (in Greek Mιθριδάτης; lived 3rd century BC), third king of Pontus and son of Ariobarzanes, whom he succeeded on the throne.

He was a minor when his father died, but the date of his accession cannot be determined. It seems probable that it must have taken place well before 240 BC, as Memnon tells us that he was a child at his father's death, and he had a daughter of marriageable age in 222 BC. Shortly after his accession, his kingdom was invaded by the Gauls, who were eventually repulsed.[1]

After Mithridates attained manhood, he married Laodice, a sister of Antiochus Hierax and Seleucus II Callinicus, with whom he is said to have received the province of Phrygia as a dowry.

The political context of Mithridates II's marriage: In 145 BCE Antiochus Hierax, supported by his mother Laodice I who held influence in Anatolia,[2] demands the possession of Anatolia (Asia Minor) from his brother Seleucus II Callinicus and quickly declares his independence in order to expand his territory and his authority. Seleucus, struggling against the Ptolemaic forces in the south, has no choice but to tolerate.

Mithridates II fought with his mother-in-law and Hierax and their allies, against his other brother-in-law Seleucus during a war between Seleucus and Antiochus Hierax. Eventually, Mithridates defeated Seleucus in a great battle at Ancyra in 235 BC whereby Seleucus lost twenty thousand of his troops and narrowly escaped with his own life.

Hierax died in 226 BCE.

In 222 BCE, Mithridates II gave his daughter Laodice in marriage to the Seleucid king Antiochus III. Another of his daughters, also named Laodice, was married about the same time to Achaeus, the cousin of Antiochus.[3]

In 220 BC, Mithridates declared war upon the wealthy and powerful city of Sinope. However, he was unable to weaken it and the city did not come under the control of the kings of Pontus until 183 BC.[4]

Earlier in his rule, Mithridates II vied with the other monarchs of Asia in sending magnificent presents to the Rhodians, after the destruction of their city by an earthquake in 227 BC.[5] The date of his death is unknown. He was succeeded by Mithridates III, his son with Laodice.

Notes

1. Memnon, History of Heracleia, 24.
2. Justin, Epitome of the Phillipic History of Pompeius Trogus, XXVII
3. Polybius, Histories, v. 43, 74, viii. 22.
4. Polybius, Histories, iv. 56.
5. Polybius, Histories, v. 90.

References

• Hazel, John. Who's Who in the Greek World. "Mithridates II", 2003.
• Smith, William (editor); Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, "Mithridates IV", Boston, (1867).
•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Mithridates". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. 2. pp. 1095–96.