Mithridatir Pontian
Lived: 820-991
Ruler of Kiev: 951-991
King of Kievan Pontus: 951-991
Mithridatir succeeded his father at the time of internally peaceful and stable era of Kiev. Continuing his father's legacy, his reign was contained mostly a lot of warfare against foreign enemies . Governing of realm was difficult when Mithridatir was needed in warfare and therefore during the reign of Mithridatir part of the duties were given to some of the vassals. Notably new High Chiefdoms were founded to rule some areas and because of that King's direct control to all vassal chiefdoms decreased.
During his father's reign, Mithridatir had followed his father in his military campaigns and had proved to be a great warrior. Mithridatir's military skills improved significantly during the war in Baltic and he started to become as good as his father.
Kievan troops fighting against Danes.
At the beginning of his reign, Mithridatir carried out his father's dream to get Kievan border next to the Baltic Sea. He was able to finish the war against Denmark which had already lasted couple of years. After his father's sudden death Danes had been able to chase invading Kievan soldiers off from Danish lands in Baltic but it was only a brief success because soon Kievan troops invaded it again. Finally King of Denmark realized that he wasn't able to get Baltic land back and therefore he surrendered.
Long period of wars was ended and Mithridatir wasn't keen to continue waging more wars. Mithridatir started improving relations with Kingdom of Georgia and signed alliance with them. The alliance was sealed with the marriage between Mithridatir's sister and Georgian King's son and heir.
Short time of peace ended when Byzantine Empire request the assistance against Tengri pagans of Belgrade in 957. Mithridatir joined the war even though he wasn't really eager to send armies against powerful Tengri Kingdom of Hungary which was supporting Belgrade but nevertheless he finally decided to send armies to support. However soon Mithridatir was forced to withdraw because great Khan of Yabguid from the east had started invasion against Kiev.
Yabguid Khanate on the eve of the war.
Mithridatir raised whole Kievan army and started advance towards eastern border. Kievan ambassadors were sent to Byzantine Empire and Georgia and they were called to help against Yabguid Khanate. Two Kievan armies, one of which was personally commanded by Mithridatir , advanced to Yabguid territory. However Khan's army was able to send their army against one of the advancing Kievan armies. Kievan army needed to retreat back after the Khan's army was able beat it in Battle of Sugrov. Army, which were under the command of Mithridatir, marched against this enemy army and Kievan troops defeated them in Second Battle of Sugrov.
Mithridatir and Kievan troops chased after retreating Khan and his army and second time Khan was defeated in Sarkel. During this time Georgian forces were started invading against Yabguid. Army of Kiev advanced more and more to Yabguid territory and finally Khan was forced to surrender in 960. War had been devastating to Yabguid Khanate and shortly after the war Yabguid Khanate collapsed and Yabguid dynasty lost its power.
Pagan Kingdom of Sweden had some christian population in Baltic lands. These christians were not eager to serve the pagan rulers and decided start religious revolt against Swedish king. Mithridatir, who had just made peace with the Khan, saw and took advantage this chaos and declared war against Sweden. The reason why he wanted to go, once again, to war in Baltic region is not known. Historians have considered that the reason was both a religious and a political: Mithridatir wanted help Christian people and same time wanted get more power in the Baltic.
Swedes were easily beaten but new threat had emerged, Anglo-Saxon invaders. Only a little is known about this Anglo-Saxon invasion which started in 964. What is known is that invasion forces attacked from the Black Sea to the Crimea and Mithridatir had to march his armies to south to face invaders. Invasion forces were beaten after two years of war.
After Anglo-Saxon invasion Mithridatir saw an opportunity to strike against Yabguid which was suffering from devastating civil war. Kievan armies were able to snatch easy victory and finally peace was back in Kievan Pontus.
Mithridatir started plan to construct better fortification because of the threat of foreign enemies and this was seen as more and more new stone hillforts were built. His son, Diomedes was put in charge to finish the construction of fortifications when Mithridatir was needed in commanding armies. Georgia was begging help against Abbasids.
Mithridatir joined war and moved his armies towards Georgia. Mithridatir was able to win many battles against Abbasids. However, Caliph had too many men to handle and finally Kievan forces were beaten. Mihridatir had to retreat back to Kiev and Georgia was left alone to fight. Georgia was able to prolong the war because Abbasids had same time internal problems but none the less Georgia was beaten.
After defeat Mithridatir decided to give up warfare. He returned to Kiev and continued already started construction works. He also spent a lot of his time in grand hunts and with his family. Mithridatir's last years were difficult for him: Mithridatir was wounded badly when fighting against revolting peasants in 986, his wife, who had been very close and very important to him, died three years later which was very big sorrow to Mithridatir. Mithridatir's health deteriorated and in 991 he passed away leaving his realm to his son, Diomedes.
Realm of Kiev during the death of Mithridatir.