Mithridatic dynasty

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

The Mithridatic dynasty, also known as the Pontic dynasty, was a hereditary dynasty of Persian origin,^[1][2][3][4] founded by Mithridates I Ktistes (Mithridates III of Cius) in 281 BC. The origins of the dynasty were located in the highest circles of the ruling Persian nobility in Cius.^[5] Mithridates III of Cius fled to Paphlagonia after the murder of his father and his predecessor Mithridates II of Cius, eventually proclaiming the Kingdom of Pontus, and adopting the epithet of "Ktistes" (literally, Builder).^[6][7]

References

1. The Foreign Policy of Mithridates VI Eupator, King of Pontus, by B. C. McGing, page 11
2. Children of Achilles: The Greeks in Asia Minor Since the Days of Troy, by John Freely, page 69-70
3. Strabo of Amasia: A Greek Man of Letters in Augustan Rome, by Daniela Dueck, page 3
4. McGing, Brian (2004). "PONTUS". Encyclopaedia Iranica.
5. Dueck, Daniela (2002). Strabo of Amasia: A Greek Man of Letters in Augustan Rome. Routledge. p. 3. ISBN 978-1134605613. The independent Pontic dynasty originated in the highest circles of the ruling Persian nobility in Cius.
6. McGing, B.C. (1986). The Foreign Policy of Mithridates VI Eupator, King of Pontus. BRILL. p. 15. ISBN 978-9004075917. In 302 Mithridates II fell under suspicion of conspiring with Cassander against Antigonus and was killed near Cius. His son Mithridates III of Cius inherited the dynasty, but was warned by his friend Demetrius that he too was in danger from Antigonus and fled to Paphlagonia. Here he ruled for thirty six years (302-266) at some stage proclaiming himself Mithridates Ctistes, founder of the kingdom of Pontus and the line of Pontic kings.
7. Dueck, Daniela (2002). Strabo of Amasia: A Greek Man of Letters in Augustan Rome. Routledge. p. 3. ISBN 978-1134605613. Mithridates III of Cius fled to Paphlagonia after his father was killed by Antigonus and after he defeated certain Seleucid forces. In 281 BCE he became the first king of the Pontic dynasty and thus acquired the name "Ktistes", founder.