surnamed, by antiphrasis, Philopater, because he had murdered his father to get possession of his crown. This monarch having entered into alliance with Mithridates the Great king of Pontus, invaded Paphlagonia; and having seized on that country, he attempted likewise to make himself master of Cappadocia. This country, however, was at that time subject to his powerful ally; who thereupon marching into Bithynia at the head of an army, drove Nicomedes from the throne, and raised his brother Socrates to it in his room. The dethroned prince had recourse to the Romans, who expelled the usurper, and restored him to his hereditary dominions. For this favour they pressed him, and at length prevailed upon him, contrary to his own inclination, and the opinion of his friends to make inroads into the territories of Mithridates, with whom Rome wanted a subject of dispute. The king of Pontus bore for some time the devastations committed by Nicomedes with great patience, that he might not seem to be the aggressor; but at last he routed his army on the banks of the Amnus, drove him a second time from his dominions, and obliged him to seek for shelter in Paphlagonia, where he led a private life till the time of Sylla, who replaced him on the throne. He was succeeded by his son—