Mithridates III Antiochus Epiphanes: King of Commagene in the 1st Century BC

Introduction

Mithridates III Antiochus Epiphanes was a 1st‐century BC prince who succeeded his father Mithridates II as king of Commagene, ruling from 20 BC until his death in 12 BC. He belonged to the Commagene royal house and was of Iranian and Greek descent.

Sometime after 30 BC he married his paternal cousin Iotapa, a princess of Media Atropatene and daughter of Artavasdes I; their known offspring included a son, Antiochus III, and daughters, one of whom married Sampsiceramus II of Emesa while another later ruled jointly with Antiochus III. Contemporary sources record little about Mithridates III’s policies, campaigns, or internal measures. He inherited the throne by succession on his father’s death and was succeeded by his son Antiochus III on his death in 12 BC; his reign is sparsely documented in the surviving record.