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In the constant warfare between the successors of Alexander the Great, the city of Pergamum had gained a degree of independence, although still officially part of the Seleucid Empire. However, in 263 the ruler who had achieved this, Philetaerus, died and was succeeded by his nephew Eumenes. He was not satisfied with the status-quo, and desired official independence.
He was quickly able to find an ally in Ptolemy II of Egypt. After the First Syrian War, Ptolemy had gained possessions along the western coast of Asia Minor, and turned his attentions against Antigonus of Macedonia, but he was still willing to help Eumenes.
Soon after gaining power in Pergamum, Eumenes declared independence, and began to raise an army of mercenaries. The next year this army won a victory over Antiochus near the city of Sardes. Not only was Eumenes able to maintain the independence of Pergamum, he was also able to extend his possessions to include the entire Caicus Valley, and a strip of neighbouring coastline. Pergamum remained independent until 133 BC, when the last king, Attalus III, bequeathed the much expanded kingdom to Rome.