Tiberius Julius Mithridates facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mithridates III |
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Coinage of Tiberius Julius Mithridates
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| King of the Bosporan Kingdom | |
| Reign | 38–45 AD |
| Predecessor | Aspurgus |
| Successor | Cotys I |
| Died | 68 AD |
| House | Mithridatid |
| Father | Aspurgus |
| Mother | Gepaepyris |
| Religion | Greek Polytheism |
Tiberius Julius Mithridates Philogermanicus Philopatris, also known as Mithridates III of the Bosporus (fl. 41 AD, died 68 AD), was a Roman client king of the Bosporus.
Life
Little is known on the early life of Mithridates. When Aspurgus died in 38, Mithridates had become joint ruler with his mother, Gepaepyris. Sometime before 45, the Roman Emperor Claudius had given Mithridates the whole Bosporan Kingdom to rule. Claudius recognised and appointed him as the legitimate Bosporan King. In 45, for unknown reasons, Claudius deposed Mithridates from the throne and replaced him with his younger brother Cotys I. Claudius had withdrawn the Roman garrison under Aulus Didius Gallus from the Bosporan Kingdom and a few Roman cohorts were left behind with the eques Gaius Julius Aquila.
Mithridates despised the situation. He mistrusted Cotys I and Aquila, and attempted to regain his throne. Mithridates was able to entice the leaders of the local tribes and deserters into his allies. He was able to seize control of the local tribes and collect an army to declare war on Cotys I and Aquila. When Cotys I and Aquila heard news of this war, they feared that the invasion was imminent. Both men knew they had the support of Claudius. Mithridates with his army, engaged in war with Cotys I's army and Aquila's battalions, in a three-day war, which Cotys I and Aquila won unscathed and triumphant at the Don River.
Mithridates knew that resistance was hopeless and considered an appeal to Claudius. Mithridates turned to a local tribesman called Eunones, to help him. Eunones, sent envoys to Rome to Claudius with a letter from Mithridates.
In Mithridates’ letter to the Emperor, Mithridates greeted and addressed him with great honour and respect from one ruler to another ruler. Mithridates asked Claudius for a pardon and to be spared from a triumphal procession or capital punishment. Claudius wasn't sure how to punish or deal with Mithridates. Mithridates was captured and brought to Rome as a prisoner. He was displayed as a public figure beside the platform in the Roman Forum along with his guards and his expression remained undoubted.
Claudius was impressed with Mithridates' mercy from his letter and allowed him to live. He was spared capital punishment and was exiled. Mithridates lived in exile as a destitute until his death. He had no known wife or children.
See also
In Spanish: Mitrídates II del Bósforo para niños
