Anicetus (pirate)

Anicetus was the leader of an unsuccessful anti-Roman uprising in Colchis in 69. Formerly a freedman of King Polemon II of Pontus, Anicetus commanded the royal fleet until Polemonia was converted into a Roman province under Emperor Nero in 63. During the civil war following Nero’s death, Anicetus sided with Vitellius and led a general insurrection against Vespasian in Trapezus and Colchis 69. The rebels destroyed the Roman fleet (Classis Pontica) in a sudden attack on Trapezus and then turned to piracy using a type of boat known as camarae.

The revolt was however put down by the Roman reinforcements under Virdius Geminus, a lieutenant of Vespasian. Overtaken at the mouth of the river Cohibus (now the Khobi River located in Mingrelia of Lazica, Anicetus was surrendered to the Romans by the local tribesmen, and put to death.