Polemon I of Pontus facts for kids

Polemon I Pythodoros (Greek: Πολέμων Πυθόδωρος) was an important ruler in ancient times. He lived from the 1st century BC until 8 AD. Polemon was a "client king" for the powerful Roman Empire. This meant he ruled different areas, but he had to follow Rome's lead. He was king of places like Cilicia, Pontus, Colchis, and the Bosporan Kingdom.

Polemon's father was named Zenon. Zenon was a well-known speaker and a respected leader from Laodicea on the Lycus in Anatolia. Both Zenon and Polemon helped make their city, Laodicea, look beautiful with many special gifts and buildings.

Who Was Polemon I?

Polemon was from Anatolia, which is now part of modern-day Turkey. He was of Greek heritage. His father, Zenon, was a famous speaker and a leading person in his city. Zenon was a strong supporter of another speaker named Hybreas.

Standing Up to Roman Generals

Hybreas had some trouble with a Roman general named Quintus Labienus. Labienus marched his army towards Hybreas's city. Many people wanted to give up, but Zenon and Hybreas refused. They led their cities in a fight against the Romans.

Zenon encouraged everyone to resist Labienus and King Pacorus I of Parthia. These armies invaded Syria and Anatolia around 40 BC. Labienus attacked Hybreas's home. Zenon was a friend of the Roman leader Mark Antony. He played a big part in defending against the invasion.

How Polemon Became a King

Mark Antony was a powerful Roman leader. He set up client kings in the eastern parts of the Roman Empire. These kings had to pay tribute to Rome. In Anatolia, Polemon was given control over part of Cilicia. This happened in 37 BC.

Fighting with Mark Antony

In 36 BC, Polemon joined Mark Antony's fight against Parthia. Polemon was part of a group of soldiers that was attacked. Many were killed, but Polemon was captured. He was later set free after a ransom was paid.

After this war, Mark Antony gave out more lands to his allies. He gave Polemon Lesser Armenia as a reward in 31 BC. This was because Polemon helped Antony make an alliance with the king of Media Atropatene.

Becoming King of Pontus

In 26 BC, Polemon was officially recognized by Rome as a friend and ally. He was given special honors, like senators being able to sit in the best seats in theaters in his kingdom.

Polemon likely became king of Pontus by helping to stop a rebellion. A man named Arsaces, who was related to a former king of Pontus, was trying to take power. Polemon and another leader, Lycomedes, attacked Arsaces. Arsaces was captured and killed. Because of his help, Polemon was made "king of that part of Pontus bordering on Cappadocia." This means Pontus was divided among several client kings.

Polemon's Role in Big Battles

Polemon sent troops to support Mark Antony in a very important battle called the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. This battle was against another Roman leader, Octavian. Polemon was one of the kings who sent soldiers but did not fight in person.

King of the Bosporan Kingdom

Later, a Roman general named Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa sent Polemon to deal with a man named Scribonius. Scribonius claimed to be a grandson of a former king and had taken control of the Bosporan Kingdom. He had married the queen, Dynamis.

When Polemon arrived, Scribonius had already been killed by the people. However, the people resisted Polemon because they feared he would become their new king. Polemon defeated them. With the support of Augustus, Polemon was appointed king of the Bosporan Kingdom. He also married Queen Dynamis.

Polemon died in 8 AD. He was killed by a group of people called the Aspurgiani. They attacked him when he thought they were friends.

Polemon's Family and Successors

Polemon had two wives. His first wife was Dynamis, the queen of the Bosporan Kingdom. Through her, he became a stepfather to her son, Tiberius Julius Aspurgus. Dynamis likely died around 14 BC.

Polemon then married his second wife, Pythodorida of Pontus. She was a very important noblewoman, being the granddaughter of Mark Antony. Polemon and Pythodorida had three children:

• Zenon, also known as Artaxias III. He became King of Greater Armenia in 18 AD. He was popular because he adopted Armenian customs.
• Marcus Antonius Polemon Pythodoros, also known as Polemon II of Pontus. He helped his mother rule her kingdom.
• Antonia Tryphaena. She married Cotys VIII, the King of Thrace.

After Polemon's death, his second wife, Pythodorida, became queen. She ruled not only Colchis but also other important cities like Trapezus and Pharnacia. She was known as a very wise and capable ruler. She later married Archelaus of Cappadocia. Pythodorida continued to rule many areas, making her kingdom even larger and more beautiful.

Family Tree of Polemon I

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A robot for kids.

• In Spanish: Polemón I para niños