Bible Dictionaries
Pontus

Holman Bible Dictionary

(pahn' tuhss) A province just south of the Black Sea in Asia Minor. The terrain varies from fertile plains along the shore to rugged mountains farther inland. The Greeks colonized the plains shortly after 700 B.C., but the mountains remained free of their influence. Mithradates founded the kingdom of Pontus in about 302 B.C. and it remained in his dynasty until 63 B.C. when Rome took over. Christianity spread to Pontus early. First Peter was addressed to the elect there (Isaiah 1:2 ). Citizens of Pontus were in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:9 ). See Asia Minor.