Zipoetes II: Hellenistic Ruler of Bithynia

Introduction

Zipoetes II (also rendered Zipoites II, Ziboetes II; Greek Zιπoίτης or Zιβoίτης) was a Hellenistic ruler in Bithynia who exercised independent authority in part of the region from 279 to 276 BCE. He was a younger son of Zipoetes I and the brother of Nicomedes I.

After the death of Zipoetes I in 279 BCE political authority in Bithynia passed to his sons; Zipoetes II survived an attempt by Nicomedes to eliminate his brothers and raised an insurrection, maintaining himself for a time as the sovereign of a considerable portion of Bithynia’s interior. His rule consisted chiefly of resisting Nicomedes’ efforts to secure sole rule over the kingdom.

Nicomedes ultimately enlisted Gallic forces under Leonnorius and Lutarius to tip the balance; with their help Zipoetes II was defeated and by 276 BCE his independent rule had ended and Nicomedes reestablished control over Bithynia. The appeal to Gallic mercenaries in this fraternal conflict was consequential, since those Gallic contingents went on to establish a Gallic presence in Anatolia that contributed to the later founding of Galatia.