Ariobarzanes

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Ariobarzanes is the name of a number of ancient kings or satraps members of the Mithridatic dynasty that ruled Pontus. The people in question are:

• Ariobarzanes I of Cius, the first known member of the family
• Ariobarzanes II of Cius, son of Mithridates, famous for his rebellion against Artaxerxes II Memnon in 362 BC
• Ariobarzanes of Pontus, son of Mithridates I Ctistes and second king of Pontus

Ariobarzanes is also the name of three kings of Cappadocia:

• Ariobarzanes I Philiromanus, the best-known, who reigned nominally from 93 to 63 BC, but was three times expelled by Mithridates the Great and as often reinstated by Roman generals. Soon after the third occasion he formally abdicated in favor of his son.
• Ariobarzanes II Philopator, successor of Ariobarzanes I, of whom we gather only that he was murdered some time before 51 BC.
• Ariobarzanes III Eusebes Philoromanus, son of the latter, who earned the gratitude of Cicero during his proconsulate in Cilicia, and fought for Pompey in the civil wars, but was afterwards received with honour by Julius Caesar, who subsequently reinstated him when expelled by Pharnaces II of Pontus. In 42 BC Brutus and Cassius declared him a traitor, invaded his territory and put him to death.

Ariobarzanes is aso name of the Persian satrap who unsuccessfully opposed Alexander the Great on his way to Persepolis (331 BC).

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.