bgr_1050740 - BITHYNIA - BITHYNIAN KINGDOM - NICOMEDES IV PHILOPATOR Tétradrachme

BITHYNIA - BITHYNIAN KINGDOM - NICOMEDES IV PHILOPATOR

(94-74 BC)

Nicomedes IV succeeded his father Nicomedes III. Nicomedes IV married Nysa, daughter of Ariarathes VI of Cappadocia and niece of Mithridates VI of Pontus. He had to face the usurpation of his half-brother Socrates Chrestos between 93-92 and 89-88 BC supported by Mithridates VI Eupator (120-63 BC). In reality, with the support of the Bithynians, Socrates Chrestos seized the throne twice, the second after the Pontic victory of Amnias in the summer of 89 BC which forced Nicomedes IV to flee and to go to Rome for help. Finally the usurper was eliminated in the fall of 88 BC by his protector. After a reign of twenty years without relief, he died childless leaving as heir, Rome which finally annexed the Kingdom..