Tetradrachma of Mithradates II of Pontus
Tetradrachma of Mithradates II of Pontus In 291 B.C. Mithradates, I founded Pontus, a kingdom along the Black Sea’s south coast. This silver coin portrays Mithridates II, whose reign, though impossible to firmly date, probably extended from about 240 to 185 B.C. The name Mithridates, occurring twice in the Bible ( Ezra 1:8, Ezra 4:7 ), means “gift of Mithra,” Persian god of covenants. The Roman Republic conquered Pontus in 63 B.C., including it in the province of Bithynia and Pontus. Jews from Pontus were at the Pentecost celebration in Acts 2:9. Ezra 1:8, Ezra 4:7, Acts 2:9, Acts 18:2, 1 Pet 1:1