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Mithradates VI Eupator
Mithradates VI Eupator on a silver coin of Pontus, 2nd–1st century bce.
Mithradates VI Eupator
king of Pontus
Also known as: Mithradates VI Eupator Dionysus, Mithradates the Great, Mithridates VI Eupator, Mithridates VI Eupator Dionysus, Mithridates the Great
Quick Facts
- In full:
- Mithradates VI Eupator Dionysus
- Byname:
- Mithradates the Great
- Mithradates also spelled:
- Mithridates
- Died:
- 63 bce, Panticapaeum [now in Ukraine]
- Title / Office:
- king (120BC-63BC), Pontus
- Role In:
- Mithradatic wars
Mithradates VI Eupator (died 63 bce, Panticapaeum [now in Ukraine]) was the king of Pontus in northern Anatolia (120–63 bce). Under his energetic leadership, Pontus expanded to absorb several of its small neighbours and, briefly, contested Rome’s hegemony in Asia Minor. Mithradates the Great was the sixth—and last—Pontic ruler by that name. Mithradates (meaning “gift of [the god] Mithra”) was a common name among Anatolian rulers of the age. When Mithradates VI succeeded his father, Mithradates Euergetes, in 120 bce, he was then only a boy, and for a few years his mother ruled in his place. About 115 bce, ...(100 of 1048 words)