Aristonicus

Died 129 or 128 B. C. Illegitimate son of Eumenes II, king of Pergamum.

Aristonicus led an anti-Roman uprising in Pergamum from 133 (or 132) to 129; it flared up after the death of King Attalus III, who had bequeathed his kingdom to Rome. Participants in the rebellion included part of the free population of Pergamum, the Greek cities of Asia Minor, mercenary soldiers, and slaves. The rebels strove to create a “City of the Sun,” where all people would become equal and where concord would be the ruling principle. At first Aristonicus’ war against Rome proceeded successfully. In 130, the rebels defeated the consular army of P. Licinius Crassus near Levkas, but then in 129 they suffered defeat at Stratonike. Aristonicus was taken prisoner, brought to Rome, and executed. Pergamum became a Roman province known as Asia.