Ariobarzanes II Philopator: King of Cappadocia and Patron of Hellenic Culture

Introduction

Ariobarzanes II Philopator was king of Cappadocia from about 63/62 BC to c. 51 BC, a son of Ariobarzanes I and Queen Athenais Philostorgos I and of mixed Persian and Greek descent. He succeeded his father after the latter’s abdication and reinforced dynastic links by marrying Athenais Philostorgos II, a daughter of Mithridates VI of Pontus. His reign is recorded chiefly for two types of activity: patronage of Hellenic culture, notably the reconstruction of the Odeion of Pericles in Athens after its destruction by Sulla, and dependence on Roman military intervention, as when he required the aid of the proconsul Gabinius in 57 BC to repel political enemies.

Ancient sources judge his rule as weak; he retained the throne for roughly eight years but faced persistent threats and required external backing. Contemporary reports attribute his death to assassination by Parthian favorites, and Cicero records that the precise circumstances of the conspiracy remain obscure. He was succeeded by his elder son, Ariobarzanes III; a younger son, Ariarathes X, also later ruled Cappadocia. Ariobarzanes II’s lasting record is therefore a mixture of public benefaction in Greece and a short, insecure reign that ended in violent removal.