Mithridates

Family: Pontic · Role: king · First appears: Flamininus

Mithridates was a Pontic king who, at one time, was the son of Ariobarzanes and lived with Demetrius Poliorcetes while attending Antigonus. He later wounded Artaxerxes, received rich presents from him, and was addressed as a friend by Sparamizes.

In his wars, Mithridates was an enemy of Sylla and Fimbria. At Dardanus, he agreed to leave Asia and Paphlagonia, surrender his navy, restore Bithynia to Nicomedes and Cappadocia to Ariobarzanes, and provide ships and tribute to the Romans. He also became an enemy of Lucullus and Pompey, against whom he was defeated before fleeing to Bosporus.

Mithridates formed a league with Quintus Sertorius, promising money and ships in exchange for soldiers and a general. His family and household included his son Machares, his daughters Cleopatra, Roxana, Statira, and Nyssa, and his wives Berenice and Monime. Tigranes was his son-in-law, while Hypsicratia was his concubine and Stratonice gained great influence with him; after the revolt of his son Pharnaces, Mithridates ended his own life.