Laodice

Laodice (130/129 BC – about 90 BC) was a Pontic Princess and Queen who was first wife and sister to King Mithridates VI of Pontus. She was of Persian and Greek ancestry. Early life Laodice was the second daughter of the Pontic monarchs Laodice VI and Mithridates V of Pontus. Her father was assassinated in about 120 BC in Sinope, poisoned at a lavish banquet he was hosting. In the will of her father, Mithridates V left the kingdom to the joint rule of her mother and her brothers: Mithridates VI and Mithridates Chrestus. The brothers of Laodice were both too young to rule and their mother retained all power as regent. Laodice VI's regency over Pontus was from 120–116 BC (even perhaps up to 113 BC). Laodice VI favoured Mithridates Chrestus over Mithridates VI. During her mother's regency, Mithridates VI had escaped from her plots against him and had gone into hiding. Between 116 and 113 BC Mithridates VI returned to Pontus from hiding and was hailed as King. He was able to remove his mother and brother from the Pontic throne and became the sole ruler of Pontus. Mithridates VI showed clemency towards his mother and brother, but imprisoned them both. Laodice VI died in prison of natural causes. However, Mithridates Chrestus may have died in prison from natural causes or was tried for treason and was executed on his orders. When they died, Mithridates VI gave his mother and brother royal funerals.