Kingdom Of Cappadocia: AR Drachm Of Ariarathes Ix, 98-97 BC

Ariarathes IX Eusebes, king of Cappadocia.
AR drachm
Dated Year 4, 98-97 BC. Diademed head right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΡIAΡAΘOY EYΣEBOYΣ, Athena standing left, holding Nike, spear and shield. IΠΛ monogram in inner left field, date Δ in ex.


Originally an Achaemenid satrapy, Cappadocia became an independent kingdom under Ariarathes I in the mid 320s BC. After a long time struggling to assert independence from the Seleucid empire, Cappadocia was mostly able to exercise political autonomy, although the Iranian ruling house became increasingly Hellenized, ditching Aramaic and Old Persian to conduct official business and mint coins in Greek.

A child ruler of only eight years, Ariarathes IX endured a short and uncertain rule. His father was Mithradates VI of Pontus, who installed him against the will of the Cappadocian nobility, who wished for Ariarathes VIII. After several years of infighting, Ariarathes IX was ordered deposed by the Roman Senate, who wished Cappadocia to be a Roman-style republic. These plans failed, as Cappadocian nobleman Ariobarzanes was able to seize power.

Ariarathes IX died in battle in about 86 BC, fighting in a campaign for his father.