MITHRAS, rizi'-thrds, the Persian sun-god. MITHRIDATES I., Miek-ri-dtiCteS, second king of Pontus, son and successor of Ariobar zanes I. 2. MITHRIOATES II., king of Pontus, B.c., grandson of (r), was slain by Antigonus I.3. 141ITHRIDATES III., son and successor of (a), conquered Cappadocia and Paphlagonia, and died 266. 4. MiTnainezrzs IV., son and successor of Ariobarzanes, the son of (3), reigned 240-190. 5. MITHRIDATES V., EUerWieS, son and successor of Phaniaces, reigned 156-12o. He allied with the Romans, whom he supplied with a fleet in the third Punic war, and aided against Aristonlcus, claimant to the throne of Pergamos. He was rewarded with the province of Phrygla Major. He was murdered 120 B.C. 6. MITHRIDATES VI., or the Great, or Eze'Aitor, born about 13r B.C., succeeded, on the murder of his father (5), r2o ; was noted for his cruelties and intrigues in extending his dominion over the neighbouring nations ; and a quarrel with King Nicomedes of Bithynia regarding the throne of Cappadocia, led to his declaring war against Rome. The First Mithridatic War with
Rome, 88-84, was ended by Sulla ; the Second, 83, was caused by the unprovoked invasion by Murena, who was defeated, when peace was made by Sulla's order ; the Third, 74-63, was carried on by Lucullus, who defeated and expelled Mithridates, and afterwards by Pompey. Mithridates had to flee to Bospiirus, and perished, at his own request, by the sword of a Gaul, when his troops, headed by his son Pharnaces, had risen in mutiny against him. He was in the midst of great preparations to march round the north and west coasts of the Euxine, and penetrate into Italy. 7. This name was borne by several kings of Farthia,