Kingdom of Bithynia

Common card · No. 327348

The Kingdom of Bithynia (Ancient Greek: Βιθυνία) was a Hellenistic kingdom centred in the historical region of Bithynia, in northwest Anatolia, which seems to have been established in the 4th century BC. In the midst of the Wars of the Diadochi, Zipoites assumed the Greek title of basileus (meaning king) in 297 BC. His son and successor, Nicomedes I, founded Nicomedia, which soon rose to great prosperity. During his long reign (c. 278 – c. 255 BC), as well as those of his successors, Prusias I (r. c. 228 – 182 BC), Prusias II (r. c. 182 – 149 BC) and Nicomedes II (r. c. 149 – 127 BC), the Kingdom of Bithynia prospered and had a considerable standing and influence among the minor monarchies of Anatolia. But the last king, Nicomedes IV, was unable to maintain himself in power against Mithridates VI of Pontus. After being restored to his throne by the Roman Senate, he bequeathed his kingdom through his will to the Roman republic in 74 BC and it became the province of Bithynia et Pontus in...

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