Mithridatic dynasty
Coin of Mithridates VI
Parent house	Pharnacid dynasty (?)
Country	Kingdom of Pontus Bosporan Kingdom
Founded	281 BC
Founder	Mithridates I Ktistes
Current head	Extinct
Final ruler	Pharnaces II of Pontus
Titles	King of Pontus King of the Cimmerian Bosphorus
Dissolution	47 BC 37 BC last ruler (Arsaces of Pontus, Roman-appointed) Rhescuporis VI

TheMithridatic dynasty, also known as thePontic dynasty, was a hereditary dynasty ofPersian origin,^[1][2][3][4] founded byMithridates I Ktistes (Mithridates III of Cius) in 281 BC.^[3] The origins of the dynasty were located in the highest circles of the ruling Persian nobility inCius.^[3] Mithridates III of Cius fled toPaphlagonia after the murder of his father and his predecessorMithridates II of Cius, eventually proclaiming theKingdom of Pontus, and adopting theepithet of "Ktistes" (literally,Builder).^[5][6] The dynasty reached its greatest extent under the rule ofMithridates VI, who is considered the greatest ruler of the Kingdom of Pontus.^[7]

They were prominent enemies of theRoman Republic during theMithridatic Wars during the reign of Mithridates VI until the late 60s BC.^[3] In 48 BC, the Roman client king of the Crimea,Pharnaces II, attempted to press his claim on Pontus, but was decisively defeated byJulius Caesar at theBattle of Zela.^[8]

The Mithridatids reached their greatest extent under the rule of Mithridates VI, who conquered the neighboring territories of Colchis andTrapezos, as well as succeeding in becoming ruler of theBosporan Kingdom after the death ofPaerisades V.

This however, did not last long. His son and successor was ousted from rule of the Pontic Kingdom after his defeat at Zela, leaving only the Bosporan Kingdom under direct Mithridatid control, who nonetheless also was ousted from power by the generalAsander.

The dynasty, throughDynamis, the daughter of Mithridates VI, and her offspring, would continue to rule the Bosporan Kingdom until 342 AD. The Bosporan Kingdom would remain the longest lasting client-state of theRoman Empire. Their descendants include:

• Mithridates III, who opposed Roman rule during theRoman-Bosporan War.
• Cotys I, who supported the Romans against his brother Mithridates.
• Sauromates II, who expanded the kingdom and inflicted serious injuries to theScythian andSiracian tribes.
• Rhescuporis VI, the final ruler of the Bosporan Kingdom who died in 342 AD.

• Dueck, Daniela (2002).Strabo of Amasia: A Greek Man of Letters in Augustan Rome. Routledge.ISBN 978-1134605613.The independent Pontic dynasty originated in the highest circles of the ruling Persian nobility in Cius.

• Mithridatic dynasty
• Hellenistic dynasties
• Mithridatic kings of Pontus
• Monarchs of the Bosporan Kingdom

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata