Mithridates VI of Pontus - did he consider himself Alexander

[Arthes]

Khaire,
Mithridates VI Dionysus Eupator of Pontus.
(132-63 bce)
Looking through some archive posts on another site, I came across a comment that Mithridates VI of Pontus could be a descendant of Alexander along with an image I have posted the link to below.
Possibly a descendant of Seleucus through the female line of Laodice, sister of Seleucus II Callinicus (246 to 225bce) "beautiful victor", Jona mentions that his mother could have been the Seleucid princess Laodice VI
Looking through the various images and coins.....not only does he have similarities in the features, including the 'fierce brow' he also copies the hairstyle and images of Alexander...as well as the head tilt..
[url:2a4k0ffy]http://www.utexas.edu/courses/citylife/imagesr/mithridatesVI_2vs.jpg[/url] (it looks like the nose may have been repaired on this picture)
[url:2a4k0ffy]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f1/Mithradates_VI_of_Pontus.jpg[/url]
He had an impressive memory, as did Alexander and also sought to protect himself against poisoning by taking antidotes....which became known universally as a mithridate.
His son Pharnaces II also copies the same imagery...
http://www.antiquainc.com/13c038x.html
See Jona's [url:2a4k0ffy]http://www.livius.org/mi-mn/mithridates/mithridates.htm[/url] for more on Mithridates and another view of the Hercules portrait...where you can clearly see the 'head tilt'.
I wondered if he considered himself as a descendant and sucessor of Alexander or maybe even his reincarnation....which would also explain the fear of poison....
Jona, what are your comments or thoughts on this?
regards
Arthes

[hoplite14gr]

Alexnader was among the very few people to be hailed as living gods.
So it is not surprizing that every adventurer or pretender of power in the Mediterranean or the Middle East to wanted to imitate him or claim linage from him. Mithradates tried everything but he failed to be very convincing.
He was to much of an eastrn despot for Greeks to stomach him so it hardly surprizing that many Greeks allie themselves with the Romans.
Kind regards

[Ramesses II]

I wondered if he considered himself as a descendant and sucessor of Alexander or maybe even his reincarnation....which would also explain the fear of poison....

I think, like hoplite14gr, he wanted to imitate him. The fear of poison doesn't mean your a reincarnation, imitating can take you far Alexander was, and still is, considered as one of the greatest conqueres all time. Myths say that during the Middle Ages there was a Greek sword and helmet places in the middle of the table at a war council, to honor him. Even during World War II. Then I'm not surprised there were kings who wanted to imitate him, to be him.

[Arthes]

Khaire,

Alexander was, and still is, considered as one of the greatest conqueres all time.

[size=150:y39bfwc1]TRUE[/size] wink:
Not having really noticed the images of Mithridates before and being aware of the various rumours of Alexander having other descendants that escaped :evil: Cassander's :evil: and Polyperchon's hands .... maybe he did believe himself to have the blood of both Alexander and the Seleucids....?
His father Mithridates V Euergetes was a staunch supporter of Hellenism and Mithrates VI Eupator Dionysus had made an attempt at forming an Hellenistic Empire which could stand against Rome.
Where did he get the title Dionysus from.......his devotion to the God?
regards
Arthes

[hoplite14gr]

Every respectable noble linage must have had some devine origin in ancient times. Every important ancient personage claimed being even remotely descentant of a god or godess. Also Phrygians-sizable Pontic populatin group had Thracian origins (Vrygae) and revered Dionysos Zagreas a lot.
Pantikapeo (importan city) had also Dionysos as a patron diety.
Mithradatis had under his control devloped Greek colonies. He thought he could build a solid kingdom based on Greek culture and it was also a diplomatic move in his attempt to try and annex mainland Greece. His despotim and his mainly barbaric army did not make a good impression though, and Pausanias mentions the list of Greek cities that allied themselves with the Romans as a lesser evil than Mithradates unruly barbarians.
Kind regards

[Arthes]

Khaire...
my grandmother's family name has 'unknown', generally thought to be continental origins..... the original early pronounciation was obviously Makello (given the varying spellings of those days) .... which I discovered today could possibly be from Greek or Latin origins and is also the name of a Cretan sea nymph connected to the Amazons and Artemis Agrotera....according to one C. A. Osbourne..???? I found that rather strange given my er....interests...!
What an ancestor to claim...... :wink: :lol: !
regards
Arthes

[hoplite14gr]

Hmmm...... the more you go back in time you will see that people of European extraction are in a way related so it is not surprizing.
Kind regards