King Mithridates and the Black Sea Empire

Today we explore the fascinating life of King Mithridates of Pontus and his Black Sea Empire!

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Documentary Credits:
Research: Invicta
Script: Invicta
Artwork: Robbie McSweeney
Narration: Invicta
Editing: Invicta
Music: Total War OST

Bibliography:
"The Poison King" by Adrienne Mayor

#ThePoisonKing
#History

[justOneOllie]

What I like about Roman history is that it's so long that it outlasts one person's story. The Pontic or the Macedonian empires are known best through one or two people's story but Rome's is the story of hundreds of leaders.

[Delzak]

"His plan would involve careful planning" hmm

[archenema]

Mithridates greatest weakness was his inability to create the same sort of cohesive alliance/client state system the Romans had.

[kaleu]

I learned a lot about this man while stationed in Sinop, Turkey. The local museum had a good exhibit about him.

[r.blakehole]

I did my final research paper for my history degree on Lucius Cornelius Sulla. I was impressed by what Mithridates accomplished from such a small power base. If Rome had not existed, then Mithridates might have been able to establish an enduring empire. However, he was was also blinded by his own drive for power. And, he challenged Rome at its strongest. Remember, this was just one generation after Rome wiped Carthage from the face of the Earth. And, Carthage was a far stronger and more unified nation than Pontus.

[connorgolden]

Mithradates is such an underrated guy, too bad the Roman Republic used life haxxs.

[Ecclesiastes]

This is fascinating for me, as a Pontic Greek.Mithridates for me symbolises the Greco-Persian fusion (despite popular belief, Greeks and Persians didn't fight all the time )The Hellenic heritage in Pontus and Crimea still stands to this day, both in the name of the cities and the ruins found.History is truly fascinating

[andrewpaedia]

This video inadvertently solved my long time question about why Pontus uses a flower-like symbol in Rome II TW lol

[earltaylor]

I loved playing as Pontus in Europa Barbarorum. The combination of Greek a Persian troops was an interesting dynamic. Also, Ancient Warfare is a great magazine. They put a lot of emphasis on researching even the smallest details in order to more accurately understand history.

[thatrandomguy]

Hell yeah I love hearing invicta talk about mithridates from his old total war videos to now it always is entertaining and captivating to listen to keep up the amazing work invicta

[laodice_III]

I love this video, I'm half Greek and half Persian, like Mithridates the Great.

[ofallmyintention]

I have many subscriptions, but Invicta, BazBattles, Kings and Generals, Historia Civilis, and HistoryDen are by far my favorites, and the only channels for which I stay notified.

[Angelimir]

Note that back then they made capes that could be worn even after 300 years...

[ΣεληνίτηςΒυζαντινής]

If he had succeeded, the Pontic Empire would probably evolve into a slightly different version of the Byzantine Empire

[sum_andres]

Just finished reading this amazing history book about Mithradates's life by Adrienne Mayor...what amazed me the most was that he was one of the first, if not the first to employ nomadic hordes hit and run tactics, even before the Parthians.

[KrazyKolaMan]

When life gives you lemons make sure that you throw them at random people for good luck and runaway like hell.




Thank you for the video Invicta

[derrickfowler]

Thank you for this video I found it particularly interesting because when I served in the US Army I was stationed in sinop, Turkey. Sinop was the home and I believe capital of mithridates as well as several other famous people from antiquity.

[brokenbridge]

This king was certainly an impressive man. I get why he would be so admired. I think I do myself. Nice job.

[alexlaza]

It is a bit ironic that the last champion of the Hellenistic world was a dynasty of Persian origin.

[giantsk]

Top-drawer content, as usual. I have always found Mithridates fascinating when reading about his battles with Rome and of course, his affinity for poison.