From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "Mithridates the Great" redirects here. For other people, see Mithridates. Mithridates VI King of Kings[1] White bust Bust of Mithridates in the Louvre King of Pontus Reign 120-63 BC Predecessor Mithridates V of Pontus Successor Pharnaces II of Pontus Born 135 BC Sinope, Kingdom of Pontus Died 63 BC (aged 71-72) either Sinope or Amaseia, Kingdom of Pontus Spouse Laodice Monime Berenice of Chios Stratonice of Pontus Unnamed fifth wife Hypsicratea Issue Detail Mithridates of Colchis Arcathius Machares Pharnaces II of Pontus Cleopatra of Pontus Drypetina Athenais Xiphares (illeg.) Mithridates I of the Bosporus (illeg.) Adobogiona the Younger (illeg.) Ariarathes IX of Cappadocia (illeg.) Orsabaris Names Mithradates Eupator Dionysus Dynasty Mithridatic Father Mithridates V Euergetes Mother Laodice VI Mithridates or Mithradates VI Eupator (Greek: Μιθραδάτης;[2] 135-63 BC) was a ruler of the Hellenistic Kingdom of Pontus in northern Anatolia from 120 to 63 BC, and one of the Roman Republic's most formidable and determined opponents. He was an effective, ambitious and ruthless ruler who sought to dominate Asia Minor and the Black Sea region, waging several hard-fought but ultimately unsuccessful wars (the Mithridatic Wars) to break Roman dominion over Asia and the Hellenic world.[3] He has been called the greatest ruler of the Kingdom of Pontus.[4] After his death he became known as Mithridates the Great. Due to his affinity for poison he has also been called The Poison King. Contents 1 Etymology 2 Ancestry, family and early life 3 Early reign 4 Mithridatic Wars 5 Assassination conspiracy 6 Representation of power 7 Death 8 Mithridates' antidote 9 Mithridates as polyglot 10 Wives, mistresses and children 11 Cultural depictions 12 See also 13 References 14 Sources 15 Further reading 16 External links Etymology Mithridates is the Greek attestation of the Persian name Mihrdāt, meaning "given by Mithra", the name of the ancient Iranian sun god.[5] The name itself is derived from Old Iranian Miθra-dāta-.[6] Ancestry, family and early life Map of the Kingdom of Pontus before the reign of Mithridates VI (dark purple), after his conquests (purple), and after his conquests in the first Mithridatic wars (pink), including Pontus' ally the Kingdom of Armenia (green). Mithridates Eupator Dionysus (Greek: Μιθραδάτης Εὐπάτωρ Δῐόνῡσος) was a prince of Persian and Greek ancestry. He claimed descent from Cyrus the Great, the family of Darius the Great, the Regent Antipater, the generals of Alexander the Great as well as the later kings Antigonus I Monophthalmus and Seleucus I Nicator.[7] Mithridates was born in the Pontic city of Sinope,[8] and was raised in the Kingdom of Pontus. He was the first son among the children born to Laodice VI and Mithridates V of Pontus (reigned 150-120 BC). His father, Mithridates V, was a prince and the son of the former Pontic monarchs Pharnaces I of Pontus and his wife-cousin Nysa. His mother, Laodice VI, was a Seleucid princess and the daughter of the Seleucid monarchs Antiochus IV Epiphanes and his wife-sister Laodice IV.[citation needed] Mithridates V was assassinated in about 120 BC in Sinope, poisoned by unknown persons at a lavish banquet which he held.[9] He left the kingdom to the joint rule of Mithridates' mother, Laodice VI, Mithridates, and his younger brother, Mithridates Chrestus. Neither Mithridates nor his younger brother were of age, and their mother retained all power as regent for the time being.[10] Laodice VI's regency over Pontus was from 120 BC to 116 BC (even perhaps up to 113 BC) and favored Mithridates Chrestus over Mithridates. During his mother's regency, he escaped from his mother's plots against him, and went into hiding.[citation needed] Mithridates emerged from hiding, returning to Pontus between 116 BC and 113 BC and was hailed as king. By this time he had grown to become a man of considerable stature and physical strength.[11] He could combine extraordinary energy and determination with a considerable talent for politics, organization and strategy.[11] Mithridates removed his mother and brother from the throne, imprisoning both, becoming the sole ruler of Pontus.[12] Laodice VI died in prison, ostensibly of natural causes. Mithridates Chrestus may have died in prison also, or may have been tried for treason and executed.[12] Mithridates gave both royal funerals.[13] Mithridates first[clarification needed] married his younger sister Laodice, aged 16.[14] His goal was to preserve the purity of their bloodline, solidify his claim to the throne, to co-rule over Pontus, and to ensure the succession to his legitimate children.[citation needed]