The Kingdom of Bithynia was formed within the historical region of Bithynia, in the northwest of Asia Minor, adjoining the
Propontis, the Thracian Bosporus and the Euxine Sea. Founded by the late 4th century B.C., it rose to prominence among the
lesser kingdoms of Anatolia under the reign of Nicomedes I (c. 278 - 255 B.C.). The kingdom was finally bequeathed to the
Roman Republic in 74 B.C. by Nicomedes IV.