Obolos 16

KINGS OF CAPPADOCIA. Ariobarzanes I Philoromaios, 96-63 BC. Drachm (Silver, 19 mm, 3.95 g, 12 h), Mint A (Eusebeia under Mt. Argaios), year 31 = 65/4 BC. Diademed head of Ariobarzanes to right. Rev. [BA]ΣIΛEΩΣ APIOBAPZAN ΦIΛOPΩMAI[OY] Athena standing left, holding Nike in right hand, resting left on shield set on ground behind her; spear behind; to inner left, ΓA monogram; in exergue, AΛ. HGC 7, 846. Simonetta, Revision 61. Toned; bold and emotional portrait. Good very fine.

In 96 BC Rome dissolved the Cappadocian monarchy and established a Republic. This was done in order to quiet the disturbances caused by the meddling of Cappadocia's neighbors. The Cappadocian people, though, were used to a monarchy and decried the republic that Rome had established. The Romans then reinstituted the monarchy, installing a Cappadocian nobleman of Persian ancestry on the throne. This was Ariobarzanes I Philoromais ("Friend of the Romans"). The reign of Ariobarzanes was very troubled, and he was deposed a total of six times during his 33 year reign by either Mithradates VI of Pontos or Tigranes II of Armenia, each time being reinstated on the throne by Rome's generals. Finally in 63 BC, worn out due to old age and the constant strife caused by his belligerent neighbors, Ariobarzanes abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Ariobarzanes II.