Mithridates II of Pontus

Mithridates II was the third king of Pontus. He reigned from about 256/250 to about 220 BC

Life

Mithridates II was the son of the King of Pontus Ariobarzanes, who had entered into an alliance with the Galatians. Apparently, it was but then come to a break with this people, because the Galatians devastated Pontus 250 BC when Mithridates II as heir of his father's empire was still very young. Finally, the Galatians were driven.

Mithridates II was able to assert that the Seleucid dynasty recognized his royal position. These served his 245 was BC wedding with a likely Laodike called sister of Seleucus II, where he received Phrygia as a dowry. Seleucus II took this step well, a support for his struggle against the Egyptian king Ptolemy III. and for the dispute with his brother Antiochus Hierax to obtain. When started a war between the Seleucid brothers, rushed Mithridates II Antiochus Hierax with a bevy of Celtic mercenaries to help, perhaps because he thereby hoped to exhaustion of the power of the Seleucid Empire. In fact, Seleucus II suffered at the battle of Ancyra 239 BC a severe defeat and could only escape with difficulty. It seems that Mithridates II had only nominally received Phrygia, as Antiochus Hierax already was able to raise around 238 BC taxes.

When Rhodes was 227 BC rocked by a major earthquake, half Mithridates II the islanders through generous donations. He married in 222 BC his daughter Laodice with Antiochus III. and his other daughter also called Laodice dominant with the Asia Minor Achaeus. 220 BC he attacked the city of Sinope, but Rhodes got help and so could withstand the attack of the Pontic king. The further fate of Mithridates II is unknown, since the ( received ) no longer mention him later sources. He was succeeded by his son Mithridates III.