Based on inscriptions relating to his family from Castabala, Tarcondimotus was the son of Straton. and had two sons called Philopator I and Laios, and a daughter called Julia.[1]
Tarcondimotus at first supported Pompey in the civil war against Julius Caesar, but after Pompey's defeat and death, he was pardoned by Caesar and confirmed in his title and possessions.[2] The name of Tarcondimotus' daughter is probably an indication that he received the Roman citizenship from Caesar as well.[1] During the Liberators' civil war, he sided with Gaius Cassius Longinus, and after that with Mark Antony, whom he followed in the opening stages of the war against Octavian,[2] adopting the royal epithet Philantonios (Antony-lover) as an expression of his devotion to Antony.[3]
Tarcondimotus was killed in a battle at sea in 31 BC, fighting under Gaius Sosius against Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.[2] His sons deserted Mark Antony's cause after Octavian's victory in the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, but Octavian nevertheless deposed Philopator I in 30 BC from his kingdom. In 20 BC, Tarcondimotus' former possessions were restored to Tarcondimotus II, who is either the same person as Philopator I or a grandson of Tarcondimotus I.[4] Tarcondimotus II lived until 17 AD.[5] Shortly, after his death, the kingdom became a part of the Roman Empire.