Pontus

An ancient kingdom in the northeast of Asia Minor, which derived its name from its being on the Pontus Euxinus (Black Sea), extending from the river Colchis in the east to the river Halys in the west. In early times, its various parts were designated after the tribes which inhabited them. The most important of those tribes are,—the Leucosyri, Tibareni, Chalybes, Mosynœci, Hept a cometæ, Drilæ, Bechires, Byzeres, Colchi, Macrones, Mares, Taochi, and Phasiani. From the middle of the 7th century B.C. , many of those tribes inhabiting the coast rose to great power and opulence, spreading Greek culture and civilization around them; while many of those of the interior were extremely savage and wild. According to tradition, it was conquered by Ninus, founder of the A yrian empire; and it was certainly under the Persian dominion after the time of Cyrus the Great. In the reign of Artaxerxes II., Ariobarzanes conquered several of the Pontian tribes, and laid the foundation of an independent kingdom. Mithridates II. succeeded him 337 B.C. , who by availing himself of the disputes of the succe ors of Alexander, considerably enlarged his dominions. Under Mithridates VI., from 120 to 63 B.C. , the kingdom of Pontus rose to its highest dignity. In his war with the Romans his kingdom was dismembered by Pompey in 65 B.C. , who annexed the western part of the nation, and gave the remainder to the native chiefs. In 63 A.D. Pontus was made a Roman province, and in the changes which transpired under Const an tine the province was divided into two parts.