Nicomedes IV

AncientEmperorBithynia-94 — -74

Last king of Bithynia who bequeathed his kingdom to Rome.

Compare:vs Napoleon vs Julius Caesar

Quick Facts

Born

94 BCE

Died

74 BCE

Country

Bithynia

Era

Ancient

Occupation

Emperor

Score Overview

Military (10%)14

Political (20%)39

Influence (20%)67

Legacy (20%)56

Leadership (15%)32

Strategy (15%)58

Total Score47.3

Nicomedes IV — Complete Timeline

90 BC

Restoration by Roman SenatePolitical Action◆ Major

After being driven from his throne by Mithridates VI of Pontus, Nicomedes IV was restored to power by a Roman commission led by Manius Aquillius. This intervention deepened Roman involvement in Anatolia and provoked the First Mithridatic War.

Mithridatic WarsRoman InterventionRestoration

Impact: regionalconstructive

88 BC

Alliance with Rome against MithridatesPolitical Action◆ Major

Nicomedes IV, under Roman pressure, attacked Mithridates VI's territory, raiding as far as Amastris. This aggression gave Mithridates a casus belli for his invasion of the Roman province of Asia, leading to the First Mithridatic War.

Mithridatic WarsProvocationRoman Policy

Impact: regionaldestructive

74 BC

Bequest of Bithynia to RomePolitical Action

Nicomedes IV died without a legitimate heir and bequeathed his kingdom of Bithynia to the Roman Republic in his will. This act made Bithynia a Roman province, ending the independent kingdom and triggering the Third Mithridatic War.

Roman AnnexationProvinceMithridatic Wars

Impact: regional