Andronicus of

Pergamum Pergamon or Pergamum ( or ; grc-gre, Πέργαμον), also referred to by its modern Greek form Pergamos (), was a rich and powerful ancient Greek city in Mysia. It is located from the modern coastline of the Aegean Sea on a promontory on th ...

was an ambassador of

Attalus II Philadelphus Attalus II Philadelphus (Greek: Ἄτταλος Β΄ ὁ Φιλάδελφος, ''Attalos II Philadelphos'', which means "Attalus the brother-loving"; 220–138 BC) was a Greek King of Pergamon and the founder of the city of Attalia (Antalya) ...

. He was sent to

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

in 156 BCE, to inform the

Roman Senate The Roman Senate ( la, Senātus Rōmānus) was a governing and advisory assembly in ancient Rome. It was one of the most enduring institutions in Roman history, being established in the first days of the city of Rome (traditionally founded in ...

that

Prusias II of Bithynia Prusias II Cynegus (Greek: Προυσίας ὁ Κυνηγός; "the Hunter", c. 220 BC – 149 BC, reigned c. 182 BC – 149 BC) was the Greek king of Bithynia. He was the son and successor of Prusias I and Apama III. Life Prusias was ...

had attacked the territories of Attalus. Prusias later sent his son

Nicomedes II of Bithynia Nicomedes II Epiphanes (Greek: Νικομήδης ὁ Ἐπιφανής "Nicomedes God-Manifest") was the king of Bithynia from 149 to c. 127 BC. He was fourth in descent from Nicomedes I. Nicomedes II was the son and successor of Prusias II and ...

, along with an assistant named Menas, to Rome in 149 to appeal to the Senate, and ask them to cancel the fine they had earlier levied on Prusias for attacking Attalus. Unbeknownst to Nicomedes, Menas had been given orders to assassinate Nicomedes if he failed. Attalus again sent Andronicus to Rome, to oppose this diplomatic request, and demonstrate why the fine was fair. Menas, seeing that Nicomedes would fail, but was also too popular at Rome to assassinate, feared to either carry out his mission or return to Prusias if he did not carry it out. He called Nicomedes and Andronicus into a meeting and explained the plot to them, and in which the three conspired against Prusias, with the end goal of replacing Prusias on the throne with Nicomedes. Though it is speculated by some scholars that winning over the heir to the Bithynian throne was already part of Andronicus's agenda at that point. The three set sail from

Ostia Antica Ostia Antica ("Ancient Ostia") is a large archaeological site, close to the modern town of Ostia, that is the location of the harbour city of ancient Rome, 25 kilometres (15 miles) southwest of Rome. "Ostia" (plur. of "ostium") is a derivation ...

and met at the city of

Berenice Berenice ( grc, Βερενίκη, ''Bereníkē'') is the Ancient Macedonian form of the Attic Greek name ''Pherenikē'', which means "bearer of victory" . Berenika, priestess of Demeter in Lete ca. 350 BC, is the oldest epigraphical evidence. ...

, in

Epirus sq, Epiri rup, Epiru , native_name_lang = , settlement_type = Historical region , image_map = Epirus antiquus tabula.jpg , map_alt = , map_caption = Map of ancient Epirus by Heinri ...

, where Andronicus and his soldiers hailed Nicomedes as king of Bithynia, and promised the assistance of Attalus.

Notes

{{authority control People from Pergamon 2nd-century BC Greek people