an ancient country in Asia Minor on the Black Sea, surrounded by Bithynia, Galatia, and Pontus. Cities, including Sinope, were founded by Greek colonists along the coast. A rural population of Syrian origin predominated in the interior. In the sixth century B.C., Paphlagonia was conquered by Lydia, and then by Persia. In the late fourth and early third centuries B.C., it was ruled by Alexander the Great and his successors. Beginning in 281 B.C., the country’s interior was governed by local dynasties.
In 107 B.C., Paphlagonia was inherited by Mithridates VI Eupator. After the Third Mithridatic War (74–64 B.C.), the coastal region was included by the Romans in the province of Bithynia; the interior was annexed to the Roman province of Galatia in the sixth or fifth century B.C. Paphlagonia became an independent province under Diocletian in the third century of the Common Era.