| Mithridates II of Pontus | |
|---|---|
| Basileus | |
| King of Pontus | |
| Reign | 250 BC - 210 BC |
| Predecessor | Ariobarzanes of Pontus |
| Successor | Mithridates III of Pontus |
| Spouse | Laodice (Sister of Seleucus II) |
| Issue | Laodice III Mithridates III of Pontus |
| Dynasty | Mithridatic |
| Father | Ariobarzanes of Pontus |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Pontus |
| Rank | Basileus |
| Battles / wars |
|
Mithridates II (Greek: Mιθριδάτης; lived 3rd century BC),third king ofPontus and son ofAriobarzanes, 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, asMemnon 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 theGauls, who were eventually repulsed.[1]
After Mithridates attained manhood, he marriedLaodice, a sister ofAntiochus Hierax andSeleucus II Callinicus, with whom he is said to have received the province ofPhrygia as a dowry.
In 245 BCE Antiochus Hierax, supported by his motherLaodice 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 andAntiochus Hierax. Eventually, Mithridates defeated Seleucus in a great battle atAncyra 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 daughterLaodice in marriage to theSeleucid kingAntiochus III. Another of his daughters, also namedLaodice, was married about the same time toAchaeus, the cousin of Antiochus.[3]
In 220 BC, Mithridates declared war upon the wealthy and powerful city ofSinope. 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]
In 227 BC, Mithridates II vied with the other monarchs of Asia in sending magnificent presents to theRhodians, after the destruction of their city by an earthquake.[5]
The date of his death is unknown. He was succeeded byMithridates III, his son withLaodice.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Mithridates".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Vol. 2. pp. 1095–96.| Preceded by | King of Pontus c. 250 BC – c. 210 BC | Succeeded by |