Pythodorida of Pontus facts for kids

Pythodorida (born 30 or 29 BC, died 38 AD) was a powerful queen in ancient times. She ruled over several kingdoms that were friendly with the Roman Empire. These kingdoms included Pontus, the Bosporan Kingdom, Cilicia, and Cappadocia.

Who Was Pythodorida?

Pythodorida is also known as Pythodoris I. Sometimes, she was called Pantos Pythodorida. An old inscription from Athens calls her "Queen Pythodorida Philometor."

The word Philometor means "mother-loving." This special title was often used by queens from the Ptolemaic dynasty in ancient Egypt.

Pythodorida was born and grew up in a city called Smyrna. Today, this city is known as İzmir in Turkey. Her parents were very wealthy Anatolian Greeks. Her father, Pythodoros of Tralles, was a friend of a famous Roman leader named Pompey.

Her mother was Antonia. Pythodorida's grandparents on her mother's side were the Roman leader Mark Antony and Antonia Hybrida Minor.

Pythodorida's Time as Queen

Pythodorida's marriages show how important women from powerful families were. Their marriages helped shape the political landscape of the Roman world. Around 14 BC, Pythodorida married King Polemon I of Pontus. She became his second wife.

Through this marriage, she became the Queen of Pontus and the Bosporan Kingdom.

Pythodorida and King Polemon had two sons and one daughter:

• Zenon, also known as Artaxias III, became King of Armenia in 18 AD. He ruled until he died in 35 AD.
• Marcus Antonius Polemon Pythodoros, who later became Polemon II of Pontus.
• Antonia Tryphaena, who married Cotys VIII, the King of Thrace.

King Polemon I died in 8 BC. Pythodorida continued to rule as Queen of Pontus. She was able to keep control of Colchis and Cilicia. However, the Bosporan Kingdom was given to her first husband's stepson, Aspurgus.

Later, Pythodorida married King Archelaus of Cappadocia. They did not have any children together. Through this second marriage, she became the Queen of Cappadocia. Pythodorida and her children moved from Pontus to Cappadocia to live with Archelaus.

When Archelaus died in 17 AD, Cappadocia became a Roman province. This meant it was directly controlled by Rome. Pythodorida and her family then moved back to Pontus.

In her later years, Pythodorida's son, Polemon II, helped her manage the kingdom. After her death, Polemon II became the new king. A famous Greek writer named Strabo knew Pythodorida. He said she was a very good and smart ruler. Strabo believed that Pontus did very well under Pythodorida's leadership.

See also

In Spanish: Pitodoris para niños