The Aristonicus Uprising, also known as the Aristonicus Revolt, was a revolt in Pergamon, which began under the leadership of King Eumenes III (also known as Aristonicus), between 133 and 129 BC.

Origin of Eumenes III

Little is known about Eumenes III. He was originally named Aristonicus, and claimed to be the illegitimate son of the Pergamene king Eumenes II (197-160 BC). ^[1] This would have also made him the brother of king Attalus III (138 - 133 BC).

Course of the uprising

After the death of his brother, Attalus III in 133 BC, Eumenes III was in line to become the King of Pergamon, but a man named Eudemus suddenly declared that Attalus III had actually named him as the next King of Pergamon in his will. Aristonicus was greatly offended by this, and therefore decided to take power by force. At first, Aristonicus seized power in the coastal city of Levki (between Smyrna and Phocaea). He later adopted the name of his father Eumenes III and began to seize power in cities that did not obey him. Further events are described by Strabo:^[2]

Having been defeated by the Ephesians in a sea battle near Cymae of Aeolia, Aristonicus began to operate in the interior regions of the country, where, including thanks to the abolition of slavery he announced, "rapidly gathered flocks of poor and slaves, involved the promise of freedom". Aristonicus called these people "heliopolitans", that is, "citizens of the City of the Sun". Soon, Aristonicus captured Apollonida and some other fortresses. The mountain inhabitants of Mysia were also allied with him, and on the other side of the Hellespont strait – the Thracians, whose tribesmen were often found among the slaves of Asia Minor.

— Strabo

Subsequently, Aristonicus managed to win a number of victories against Rome and its allies. the most vivid of which is mentioned by many ancient historians: Strabo, Plutarch, but the most detailed victory over Publius Licinius Crassus was described by Eutropius:^[3]

Seeing the great danger and not wanting to leave the great rich inheritance of Pergamum in the hands of the rebels, Rome sent against Aristonicus a large force under the command of the consul Crassus. Crassus demanded that all the states subject to Rome, which surrounded Pergamum: Bithinia, Cappadocia, Paphlagonia and Kingdom of Pontus - sent forces to help Rome against Aristonicus. The Leader of the rebellion seemed to be surrounded on all sides by enemies. First of all, Crassus approached the fortified city of Levka. The siege of this impregnable city dragged on for the whole winter, which the rebel slaves were ready to defend to the end. Crassus was about to lift the siege and retreat, when suddenly the army of Aristonicus attacked Crassus, defeated his army, and Crassus himself was captured and executed.

— Eutropius

Having learned about the failure of Crassus, in 130 BC, the consul Marcus Perperna went to correct the situation and did it very successfully: having gathered an army, he landed in Asia Minor and unexpectedly attacked Aristonicus, defeating his army. Aristonicus had no choice but to flee to the city of Stratonicea.^[4]

The liberation of cities and territories previously captured by Aristonicus began. The Roman army dealt with the rebels particularly cruelly: they poisoned water and food, while torturing and killing prisoners. Under this pressure, Aristonicus surrendered. He was sent to Rome, where he was strangled in prison. However, even without Aristonicus, his troops fought against the Roman army for one more year. In 129 BC, the Roman army, under the leadership of the consul Manius Aquilius, finally destroyed the remnants of the rebel units. A loyal friend of Aristonicus, Blossius could not survive the loss of his friend and ended his life by suicide.

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