Socrates Chrestus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

Socrates Chrestus (Greek: Σωκράτης ό χρηστός Chrestus means the Good,[1] flourished second half of 2nd century BC & first half of 1st century BC – died 90–88 BC) was a Greek Prince and King of Bithynia.

Socrates was the second son born to the Monarchs Nysa and Nicomedes III of Bithynia.[2] He had a sister called Nysa and his eldest brother was his father’s heir Nicomedes IV of Bithynia.[3] He was born and raised in Bithynia and his mother's maternal uncle was King Mithridates VI of Pontus.

Socrates was a popular prince with the citizens of Bithynia.[4] He received the surname Chrestus because he was peaceful and lamented in his personality.[5]

The father of Socrates, Nicomedes III died in c. 94 BC and his brother Nicomedes IV became King. In the first few years of the rule of Nicomedes III was relatively peaceful. Socrates unfortunately fell under the evil influence of Mithridates VI and he persuaded his great-nephew to assert his claim to the Bithynian throne in opposition to Nicomedes IV.[6] Mithridates VI sent an assassin named Alexander to murder Nicomedes IV, but his plot failed.[7]

Mithridates VI formed an alliance with Socrates. As a part of the alliance, Mithridates VI betrothed[8] or married Socrates to his daughter Orsabaris,[9] thus Mithridates VI was maintaining indirect control of the Kingdom of Bithynia.[10]

Then Mithridates VI gave Socrates to command a Pontian army and he invaded Bithynia with the support of Mithridates VI with his army. As Socrates marched across the countryside of Bithynia, he eventually approached the capital of Bithynia, Nicomedia. As he approached the capital, Nicomedes IV barricaded himself inside of his castle.[11]

Socrates with the Pontian army defeated the army of Nicomedes IV and he was forced to flee to Italy. Socrates became King of Bithynia and probably assumed the name Memnon Nicomedes which he is also known by.[12] Nicomedes IV with the support of the Roman Senate declared war against Socrates; eventually Nicomedes IV had a military victory and due to Rome’s influence in the region Nicomedes IV was restored to the Bithynian throne as King in 90 BC.[13][14]

Socrates became a political exile and fled to the court of Mithridates VI.[15] Mithridates VI was not prepared to brave the power of Rome and found this opportunity to not only support Socrates, but even put to him to death.[16]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Mayor, The Poison King: the life and legend of Mithradates, Rome’s deadliest enemy p.XVII
  2. ^ http://www.ancienthistory.com/smith-bio/3180.html
  3. ^ http://www.ancienthistory.com/smith-bio/3180.html
  4. ^ Mayor, The Poison King: the life and legend of Mithradates, Rome’s deadliest enemy p.139
  5. ^ Mayor, The Poison King: the life and legend of Mithradates, Rome’s deadliest enemy p.143
  6. ^ http://www.ancienthistory.com/smith-bio/3180.html
  7. ^ Mayor, The Poison King: the life and legend of Mithradates, Rome’s deadliest enemy p.139
  8. ^ Mayor, The Poison King: the life and legend of Mithradates, Rome’s deadliest enemy p.139
  9. ^ http://ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/2396.html
  10. ^ Mayor, The Poison King: the life and legend of Mithradates, Rome’s deadliest enemy p.139
  11. ^ Mayor, The Poison King: the life and legend of Mithradates, Rome’s deadliest enemy p.139
  12. ^ http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/3180.html
  13. ^ http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/3180.html
  14. ^ http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/2305.html
  15. ^ http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/3180.html
  16. ^ http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/3180.html

Sources [edit]

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Socrates_Chrestus&oldid=540771416"