Abstract:

Phrygia and Lycaonia was not incorporated to the province of Asia, during its foundation (129-126 B.C.), but handed over to kingdoms of Pontus and Cappadocia. Previously it is suggested that Mithridates V of Pontus died in 120 B.C. and Rome annexed Phrygia and Lycaonia between 119-116 B.C. But after reassessment of the available information, in the light of astronomical data in the Chinese sources, determination of the death Mithridates V was around 123/122 B.C. paved the way for suggesting more plausible scenario. In years of 123/122 B.C. the tribune Gaius Gracchus was politically at the peak of his power. His main objectives were provide political support against the Senate by strengthening the equestrians (equites) both in Rome and in the provinces, in order to enforce his agrarian law (lex agraria) which he has proposed to settle the problem of landless peasants, and raising funds for his law by increasing the income of the treasury. Accordingly with the annexation of Phrygia and Lycaonia towards the political objectives of Gracchus it was created more sources of income both for the publicans in the equestrian order, who has right to collect revenues in the province and for the treasury in Rome

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