Ariarathes VIII of Cappadocia facts for kids
Ariarathes VIII Epiphanes was a king of Cappadocia, a region in ancient Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He ruled for a short time around 101–96 BC and again briefly in 95 BC. He was the second son of King Ariarathes VI of Cappadocia and Queen Laodice of Cappadocia. Ariarathes VIII also had an older sister named Nysa and an older brother named Ariarathes VII of Cappadocia.
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Becoming King of Cappadocia
Ariarathes VIII became king when some important people in Cappadocia rebelled. They were unhappy with his maternal uncle, King Mithridates VI of Pontus, who had put his own young son, Ariarathes IX of Cappadocia, on the Cappadocian throne as a puppet king.
Losing the Throne
However, King Mithridates VI of Pontus quickly drove Ariarathes VIII out of the kingdom. Not long after, Ariarathes VIII died a natural death.
The End of a Royal Family
With the death of both Ariarathes VI's sons, the royal family of Cappadocia came to an end. King Mithridates VI of Pontus then put his own son, Ariarathes IX, back on the Cappadocian throne. Ariarathes IX was only eight years old at the time.
Rome Steps In
Another king, Nicomedes III of Bithynia, sent a message to Rome. He claimed that a young man he knew was actually a third son of Ariarathes VI and Laodice, and therefore the rightful king of Cappadocia.
King Mithridates VI also sent his own message to Rome. He argued that the boy he had placed on the throne (Ariarathes IX) was a descendant of an earlier Cappadocian king, Ariarathes V of Cappadocia.
Rome's Decision
The Roman Senate, which was like Rome's governing council, decided not to give the kingdom to either of the boys. Instead, they wanted the people of Cappadocia to be free to choose their own leader. In 95 BC, they ordered that Ariarathes IX be removed from the throne.
After a short time when Pontus directly ruled Cappadocia, and a very brief return of Ariarathes VIII, the Roman Senate tried to create a republic in Cappadocia. But the people of Cappadocia wanted a king. So, the Romans allowed them to choose anyone they wished. The Cappadocians chose Ariobarzanes I to be their new king.
