| Mithridates V Euergetes | |
|---|---|
 Tetradrachm of Mithradates | |
| King ofPontus | |
| Reign | c. 150 –c. 120 BC |
| Predecessor | Mithridates IV |
| Successor | Mithridates VI |
| Died | c. 120 BC Sinope,Pontus |
| Burial | |
| Spouses | Laodice VI of Seleucids |
| Issue | |
| House | Mithridatic |
| Father | Pharnaces I |
| Mother | Nysa |
Mithridates orMithradates V Euergetes[1] (Ancient Greek:Μιθριδάτης ὁ Eὐεργέτης, which means "Mithridates the Benefactor"; diedc. 120 BC) was a prince and theseventh king of theKingdom of Pontus.
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Mithridates V was ofGreek Macedonian andPersian ancestry. He was the son of the KingPharnaces I and QueenNysa, while his sister wasNysa of Cappadocia. His mother is believed to have died during childbirth, while giving birth to either him or his sister. He was born and raised in the Kingdom of Pontus. Mithridates V succeeded his paternal auntLaodice and paternal uncleMithridates IV[2] on the Pontic throne, but the circumstance of his accession is uncertain.[citation needed]
Mithridates V continued the alliance withRome started by his predecessors. He supported them with some ships and a small auxiliary force during theThird Punic War[3] and at a subsequent period rendered them useful assistance in the war against the King ofPergamon,Eumenes III (131–129 BC).[citation needed]
For his services on this occasion, Mithridates V was rewarded by the Roman consulManius Aquillius with the province ofPhrygia. However, the acts of the Roman consul were rescinded by theRoman Senate on the grounds of bribery, but it appears that he maintained his possession of Phrygia until his death.[4] Mithridates V also increased the power of Pontus by the marriage of his eldest child, his daughterLaodice to KingAriarathes VI.[5] The end of his reign can only be approximately determined based on statements concerning the accession of his son Mithridates VI, which is assigned to the year 120 BC, signaling the end of the reign of Mithridates V.[citation needed]
Mithridates V was assassinated around 120 BC inSinope, poisoned by unknown persons at a lavish banquet which he held.[6]Mithridates V was a great benefactor to the Hellenic culture which shows on surviving coinage and honorific inscriptions stating his donations inAthens andDelos and held the Greek GodApollo in great veneration. A bilingual inscription dedicated to him is displayed at theCapitoline Museums inRome.[7] Mithridates V was buried in the royal tombs of his ancestors atAmasya.[citation needed]
Mithridates V married theGreek Seleucid PrincessLaodice VI, who was the daughter ofAntiochus IV Epiphanes andLaodice IV.[8][9] Mithridates V and Laodice VI were related, thus he was connected to theSeleucid dynasty.[citation needed]
Laodice and Mithridates V had seven children:Laodice of Cappadocia,Mithridates VI,Mithridates Chrestus,Laodice, Nysa (sometimes spelt as Nyssa), Roxana and Statira. Roxana and Statira were compelled to kill themselves with poison after the fall of Pontus in 63 BC. Nysa was taken prisoner by the Romans and made to march in the triumphs of two Roman generals.[citation needed]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Mithridates, kings of Pontus".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Vol. 2. p. 1096.
| Preceded by | King of Pontus c. 150 BC – 120 BC | Succeeded by |