son. To conceal her unfaithfulness to Mithridates VI, Laodice plotted to have her husband poisoned. However, Mithridates returned to Pontus suddenly and without warning, catching Laodice with her lovers. Her brother-husband was shocked and distressed. However, he hid his rage and embraced Laodice. Festive banquets were prepared to welcome him back. Prior to the feast, Mithridates VI's servants warned him of Laodice's plots and they named Laodice's co-conspirators. Feeling betrayed, Mithridates cursed his late mother for raising such a treacherous daughter, and had Laodice and her collaborators executed immediately, although he spared Laodice's new born son. Arts & literature There is a painting on display at the Bibliothèque nationale de France of Laodice and Mithridates. The painting is titled Mithridates poisons Laodice, his wife/sister; Mithridates wins a duel. In The Grass Crown, the second in the Masters of Rome series, Colleen McCullough, the Australian writer, describes in detail the various aspects of Mithridates VI's life. References Sources A. Mayor, The Poison King: the life and legend of Mithradates, Rome's deadliest enemy, Princeton University Press, 2009 M. Getzel, Hellenistic settlements in Europe, the islands and Asia Minor, Cohen University of California Press, 1995 "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, page 719 (v. 2)" web.archive.org 2010-11-20. Retrieved 2019-09-17. 2nd-century BC women 1st-century BC women 2nd-century BC women rulers 1st-century BC women rulers 2nd-century BC rulers in Asia 1st-century BC rulers in Asia Queens of Pontus Iranian people of Greek descent 2nd-century BC Iranian people 1st-century BC Iranian people Mithridatic dynasty Executed royalty