Pharnaces Ii

Related Category: Ancient History, Middle East: Biographies

(fär´nəsēz), d. 47 B.C., king of Pontus, son of Mithradates VI. In the Roman civil war he overran Colchis and central Asia Minor. Julius Caesar came from Egypt and defeated (47 B.C.) him at Zela—with such ease that Caesar informed the senate with the words “Veni, vidi, vici” [I came, I saw, I conquered]. Pharnaces was killed soon afterward in a revolt.