The Kingdom of Bosporus in Rome’s Foreign Policy Plans (47–46 BC)
Panov A. R.
The author is analysing the sources on Rome’s activity concerning the Kingdom of Bosporus in 47–46 BC focusing attention on the order of events. In August 47 BC, after the battle of Zela, Caesar made Mithridates of Pergamon king of Bosporus. This fact allows the author to suppose that Mithridates was made king in order to persecute Pharnaces, who had not received approval of his claims for the throne. But the invasion of the Bosporus by Mithridates of Pergamon is dated to 46 BC, when Pharnaces had already died; so the Roman protege had to fight against Asander. Obviously, Mithridates of Pergamon did not receive the awaited support from Rome, because he was defeated by Asander, who thus established himself firmly at Bosporus against Caesar’s will.