Nabonidus vs Polemon I of Pontus

Nabonidus elevated the moon god Sin above the traditional Babylonian chief god Marduk. He built temples to Sin in Harran and Ur, and attempted to establish Sin as the supreme deity, causing conflict with the Marduk priesthood in Babylon.

Nabonidus left Babylon and resided for ten years at the oasis of Tayma in Arabia, leaving his son Belshazzar as regent in Babylon. His absence from the capital weakened his authority and fueled resentment among the Babylonian elite.

Nabonidus conquered the city of Harran, which had been under Median control. He restored the temple of Sin there, fulfilling a religious vow and extending Babylonian influence into northern Mesopotamia.

Cyrus the Great of Persia captured Babylon without a major battle, as his forces diverted the Euphrates River and entered the city through the river gates. Nabonidus was captured and exiled, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire.

Mark Antony appointed Polemon I as king of Pontus, a client kingdom of Rome. This appointment placed Polemon in a position of power within the Roman sphere of influence in Anatolia.

Polemon I supported Mark Antony against Octavian in the civil war. After Antony's defeat at the Battle of Actium, Polemon's kingdom was spared by Octavian, who confirmed him as king.

Polemon I expanded his kingdom by conquering Colchis on the eastern Black Sea coast. This expansion increased his territory and influence, though it required Roman approval.

Polemon I was killed in battle against the Aspurgiani, a tribe in the Bosporan region. His death ended his reign and led to Roman reorganization of the Pontic kingdom.