Zipoites I of Bithynia

Zipoites I (in Greek Zιπoιτης or Zιβoιτης; ruled c. 326–278 BC) was the second independent ruler of Bithynia.

He succeeded his father Bas on the throne in 326 BC and reigned for forty-eight years carrying on successful wars with Lysimachus and Antiochus, the son of Seleucus I Nicator.¹ In 315 BC he carried on a war against Astakos and Chalcedon, which failed for the relief sent by Antigonus I Monophthalmus' troops.² He founded a city which was called Zipoition after him at the foot of Mount Lypedron; the exact location of both the city and the mountain is unknown.

He lived to the age of seventy-six, and left behind him four children, the eldest of whom, Nicomedes, succeeded him.³ He was the first ruler of Bithyinia to assume the title of basileus (king), action he seems to have done in 297 BC.

References

• Cohen, Getzel M.; The Hellenistic Settlements in Europe, the Islands and Asia Minor (1996), "Zipoition"
• Smith, William (editor); Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, "Ziboetes", Boston, (1867)

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