Cappadocian Kingdom AR Drachm Ariobarzanes I (96-63 BC) VF NGC

Product Details

The Kingdom of Cappadocia was one of many Greek states to be established along the coastline of Anatolia. Much of the Kingdoms trade was enriched with its location to eastern trade.

Coin Highlights:

Silver Drachm of the Cappadocia Kingdom. Graded Very Fine by NGC.

Obverse: Right-facing bust of King Ariobarzanes I. Reverse: Displays Athena holding Nike.

Ancient Silver makes a unique addition to any collection.

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Ariobarzanes I was originally put in place by the citizens vote of Cappadocia after the Roman Senate rejected the claims of Ariarathes IX of Cappadocia and was supported by the Roman consul Lucius Cornelius Sulla. He was in control on and off of a kingdom that was considered a Roman protectorate and he was removed three separate times by King Mithridates before not only securing but actually increasing his lands under general Pompey in the Third Mithridatic War.

He eventually abdicated, making way for the rule of his son Ariobarzanes II of Cappadocia in ca. 63 BC-62 BC. Ariobarzanes I married a Greek woman, whom he had as his queen a noblewoman called Athenais Philostorgos I.

Athenais bore Ariobarzanes I two children, a son, Ariobarzanes II who succeeded him and a daughter, Isias Philostorgos who married the King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene.