The Kingdom of Pontus is a quite interesting one, both in it‘s origins and history, and remains famous for their challenge to Rome’s supposed dominance in the east, and the “Poison King” Mithridates VI. Yet the kingdom’s origins date back much farther, with the ruling family descended from one of the Achaemenid satraps in the area that were allowed to keep their positions under Alexander, but really got started with Mithridates I Ctistes, who had inherited the family dominion of Cius after his father was killed by Antigonus Monophtalmus. Antigonus planned to kill him too, but Mithridates was warned by Demetrius, who rode with a few followers towards Cimiata, where he gained enough troops and power to proclaim himself king in 281 BC. What if Mithridates I was killed, with the Kingdom of Pontus stillborn? How would it affect the political landscape in the area? Who fills the power vaccum? What are the effects on the Seleucids? And what are the effects on the later Romans?