Kingdom of Pontus Hellenistic period

bust of mithridates vi sporting lion pelt headdress, symbol of herakles.

the kingdom of pontus hellenistic kingdom on southern coast of black sea. founded mithridates in 291 bc , lasted until conquest roman republic in 63 bc. despite being ruled dynasty descendant of persian achaemenid empire became hellenized due influence of greek cities on black sea , neighboring kingdoms. pontic culture mix of greek , iranian elements; hellenized parts of kingdom on coast, populated greek colonies such trapezus , sinope, latter of became capital of kingdom. epigraphic evidence shows extensive hellenistic influence in interior. during reign of mithridates ii, pontus allied seleucids through dynastic marriages. time of mithridates vi eupator, greek official language of kingdom, though anatolian languages continued spoken.

the kingdom grew largest extent under mithridates vi, conquered colchis, cappadocia, paphlagonia, bithynia, lesser armenia, bosporan kingdom, greek colonies of tauric chersonesos and, brief time, roman province of asia. mithridates vi, himself of mixed persian , greek ancestry, presented himself protector of greeks against barbarians of rome styling himself king mithridates eupator dionysus , great liberator . mithridates depicted himself anastole hairstyle of alexander , used symbolism of herakles, whom macedonian kings claimed descent. after long struggle rome in mithridatic wars, pontus defeated; part of incorporated roman republic province of bithynia, while pontus eastern half survived client kingdom.