# Pharnaces II of Pontus

> Bosporan king from 63 to 47 BC

**Wikidata**: [Q313052](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q313052)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharnaces_II_of_Pontus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pharnaces-ii-of-pontus

## Summary
Pharnaces II of Pontus was a Bosporan king who ruled from 63 to 47 BC, known for his resistance against Roman expansion. As the son of Mithridates VI, he inherited control of the Bosporan Kingdom and clashed with Julius Caesar, ultimately losing at the Battle of Zela in 47 BC. His reign marked the final attempt by the Pontic dynasty to challenge Roman dominance in the region.

## Biography
- **Born**: 95 BC  
- **Nationality**: Bosporan  
- **Known for**: Reign as Bosporan king and conflict with Julius Caesar  
- **Employer(s)**: Bosporan Kingdom  
- **Field(s)**: Monarchy  

## Contributions
- **Reign (63–47 BC)**: Maintained control of the Bosporan Kingdom after inheriting power following Mithridates VI’s death.  
- **Battle of Zela (47 BC)**: Led a military campaign against Julius Caesar, resulting in defeat and solidifying Roman authority in Anatolia.  

## FAQs
- **When did Pharnaces II rule?**  
  He reigned as king of the Bosporan Kingdom from 63 BC until his death in 47 BC.  
- **How was he related to Mithridates VI?**  
  He was the son of Mithridates VI, inheriting his father’s territories after the latter’s death in 63 BC.  
- **What was his significance in Roman history?**  
  His defeat at the Battle of Zela in 47 BC marked the end of organized Pontic resistance to Rome, famously prompting Caesar’s declaration *Veni, Vidi, Vici* (“I came, I saw, I conquered”).  

## Why They Matter
Pharnaces II’s resistance against Julius Caesar represented one of the last challenges to Roman hegemony in Anatolia. His defeat at Zela not only secured Roman control over the region but also became a symbolic moment in Caesar’s military campaigns. Without his challenge, the consolidation of Roman power in the eastern Mediterranean might have faced fewer obstacles, altering the trajectory of imperial expansion.

## Notable For
- Last Pontic ruler to actively resist Roman authority.  
- Defeated by Julius Caesar at the Battle of Zela in 47 BC.  
- Featured on gold coins minted during his reign as king of the Bosporan Kingdom.  

## Body
### Early Life and Reign  
Pharnaces II was born in 95 BC as the son of Mithridates VI, the renowned king of Pontus. Following Mithridates’ death in 63 BC, Pharnaces assumed control of the Bosporan Kingdom, a strategic Hellenistic state in the northern Black Sea region. His rule focused on maintaining autonomy amid growing Roman influence in the area.  

### Conflict with Rome  
In 48 BC, Pharnaces II seized the opportunity to reclaim territories lost to Rome during his father’s wars. He invaded Anatolia, capturing key cities and prompting Julius Caesar to launch a counter-campaign. The decisive Battle of Zela in 47 BC saw Caesar defeat Pharnaces in a swift victory, immortalized by the phrase *Veni, Vidi, Vici*. This defeat ended Pontic resistance and cemented Roman dominance in the region.  

### Legacy  
Pharnaces II’s reign is documented through historical accounts and archaeological evidence, including gold coins bearing his likeness (e.g., *Gold coin of Pharnaces II of Pontus as King of the Bosporan Kingdom.jpg*). His story is preserved in works by Roman historians like Cassius Dio and serves as a case study in the decline of Hellenistic kingdoms. Variations of his name, such as *Farnakes* (Greek: Φαρνάκης) and *pharnakes-ii*, reflect his multicultural historical context.  

### Historical Documentation  
Pharnaces II is identified in academic and cultural databases, including VIAF ID 1333, Library of Congress authority ID 1278, and the British Museum collection ID 6000000002837385756. These records, alongside his Wikidata entry (Q5, Q116), highlight his enduring recognition as a key figure in ancient Near Eastern history.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013