the name of several kings of Pontus (an ancient kingdom in northeastern Asia Minor). Mithridates VI, king of Pontus from 120 to 63 b.c., waged three wars against Rome and was one of the most formidable opponents Rome ever had. The use of the name in this context is, however, probably a reference to Mithras, an important deity of Persia (now called Iran). The worship of Mithras was introduced into Rome in 68 b.c. and during the period of the early Roman Empire it spread rapidly throughout Italy and the Roman provinces. In the third century a.d., it was a great rival of Christianity. Mithraism was similar to Christianity in many respects, which made it easy to convert its followers to Christiandoctrine. Slave "He believes in Mithridates."