Ariobarzanes of Pontus: King and Founder of a Hellenistic Kingdom

Introduction

Ariobarzanes was the second king of the Hellenistic Kingdom of Pontus and a member of the Mithridatic dynasty, succeeding his father Mithridates I Ctistes in 266 BC. He ruled in the mid-third century BC, conventionally dated c. 266–c. 250 BC. His reign is recorded chiefly for territorial consolidation and for his dealings with Gallic mercenaries active in Asia Minor.

Early in his rule Ariobarzanes secured the important Black Sea coastal city of Amastris in Paphlagonia, reportedly acquired without bloodshed and representing the kingdom’s first maritime possession. In conjunction with his father he also turned to Gallic forces that had entered Anatolia to repel an Egyptian expedition sent by Ptolemy II Philadelphus. Relations with Galatian groups became a defining element of his reign; sources indicate that ties with those tribes later deteriorated and that conflict with Galatians was a significant issue for Pontus.

Ariobarzanes was succeeded by his son Mithridates II, who inherited the throne in childhood. His rule is remembered for establishing Pontic control of a key coastal city and for embedding the new kingdom within the volatile politics of Hellenistic Anatolia through alliance and conflict with Gallic contingents.