Nicomedes IV of Bithynia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nicomedes IV Philopator |
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Nicomedes IV depicted on a silver coin
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| King of Bithynia | |
| Reign | c. 94–74 BC |
| Predecessor | Nicomedes III |
| Successor | Bithynia became a Roman province |
| Issue | Nysa |
| Father | Nicomedes III |
| Mother | Nysa or Aristonica |
Nicomedes IV Philopator (Greek: Νικομήδης Φιλοπάτωρ) was the king of Bithynia, an ancient kingdom in what is now modern-day Turkey. He ruled from about 94 BC to 74 BC. Nicomedes IV was the first son and the person who took over from his father, Nicomedes III of Bithynia.
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Early Life and Rule
Nicomedes IV became king after his father passed away. The first few years of his rule were quite calm and peaceful. However, this peace did not last long.
A powerful king named Mithridates VI of Pontus started causing trouble for Bithynia. Mithridates was a great enemy of the Romans at that time. He was also Nicomedes IV's great-uncle on his mother's side.
Challenges to the Throne
Nicomedes IV had a half-brother named Socrates Chrestus. With help from King Mithridates VI, Socrates Chrestus attacked Nicomedes IV's army in 90 BC. Nicomedes IV lost the battle and had to escape to Italy.
The Romans had a lot of power in that area. So, a Roman leader named Manius Aquillius helped Nicomedes IV get his throne back.
However, Aquillius then encouraged Nicomedes IV to attack Mithridates VI's land. This made Mithridates very angry, and he attacked Bithynia again in 88 BC. Nicomedes IV had to flee to Rome once more. Mithridates then took over Bithynia and other Roman lands in Asia. This started the First Mithridatic War.
Rome's Influence and Later Reign
The Romans saw the eastern lands as a place with lots of gold and silver. Two powerful Roman leaders, Gaius Marius and the consul Lucius Cornelius Sulla, wanted to lead the Roman army in this region.
After Sulla marched on Rome and made Marius an outlaw, Sulla sailed east. He fought Mithridates VI many times over the next three years. Finally, in 85 BC, Mithridates VI asked for peace. He was allowed to remain king of Pontus but had to pay a large amount of money.
Nicomedes IV was able to return to his throne in Bithynia in 84 BC. The years after this were mostly peaceful. However, Bithynia slowly came more and more under the control of Rome.
Bithynia Becomes Roman
In 80 BC, a young Julius Caesar visited Nicomedes IV's court as an ambassador.
As one of his final acts as king, Nicomedes IV made a very important decision in 74 BC. He gave his entire kingdom of Bithynia to Rome. The Roman Senate quickly voted to make Bithynia a new Roman province.
However, Rome's old enemy, Mithridates VI of Pontus, had different plans for Bithynia. Nicomedes IV's death and his gift of Bithynia to Rome directly led to the Third Mithridatic War.
See also
- Attalus III
- Young Caesar (opera)
