Kingdom of Pontus (Rome)

This article is about the specific polity Kingdom of Pontus (Rome) and therefore only includes events related to its territory and not to its possessions or colonies. If you are interested in the possession, this is the link to the article about the nation which includes all possessions as well as all the different incarnations of the nation.

If you are looking for the page with the statistics about this polity you can find it here:All Statistics

Was a Hellenistic kingdom centered in the historical region of Pontus and ruled by the Mithridatic dynasty. King Mithridates VI entered a struggle with the Romans because he wanted to break the increasing Domain of Rome over the Hellenic world. After the Mithridatic Wars the territories of Pontus were divided among the Romans and their allies, and a much reduced Pontus became a Roman client.

Establishment

January 62 BC: At the end of the Third Mithridatic War, the Kingdom of Pontus was dismantled and reduced to only its eastern portion, while the western part, including the capital Sinope, was incorporated into the Roman province of Bithynia and Pontus.

January 62 BC: Because Mithridates' younger son, Pharnaces II, had revolted against his father, he was given the Bosporan Kingdom by Rome.

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

1. Mithridatic Wars

Were three conflicts fought by Rome against the Kingdom of Pontus and its allies between 88 BC and 63 BC. They are named after Mithridates VI, the King of Pontus during the course of the wars.

1.1.Third Mithridatic War

Was the last and longest of the three Mithridatic Wars, fought between Mithridates VI of Pontus and the Roman Republic. The conflict ended in defeat for Mithridates, ending the Pontic Kingdom, ending the Seleucid Empire (by then a rump state), and also resulting in the Kingdom of Armenia becoming an allied client state of Rome.

2. Pontic War

Was a military campaign waged by Julius Caesar (at the same time of his war against Pompeius) that lead to the Roman submission of the Kingdom of Pontus.

August 48 BC: Start of the Pontic War.

August 47 BC: Caesar decisively defeated Pharnaces of Pontus at the Battle of Zela. Pharnaces was killed and Caesar conquered Pontus. In addition, the territories occupied by Pharnaces were freed.