Ariaramnes (Old Persian: 𐎠𐎼𐎡𐎹𐎠𐎼𐎶𐎴 Ariyāramna, Greek: Ἀριάμνης), was the Ariarathid king of Cappadocia from 280 BC to 230 BC. He was the son and successor of Ariarathes II.
| Ariaramnes | |
|---|---|
 Coin of Ariaramnes | |
| King of Cappadocia | |
| Reign | 280–230 BC |
| Predecessor | Ariarathes II |
| Successor | Ariarathes III |
| Died | 230 BC |
| Dynasty | Ariarathid |
| Father | Ariarathes II |
Ariaramnes' name is the Greek attestation of an Old Iranian name, Aryārāman ("he who brings peace to the Aryans").[1] His name is sometimes confused with an akin name, Ariamnes.[1] Ariaramnes minted coins during his reign. On the obverse of his coins, he is portrayed wearing the Persian satrapal tiara, whilst the reverse shows him holding a lance whilst riding a horse.[1][2]
Although Cappadocia had throughout its history been hardly subjected to Hellenism, it slowly began to affect the region now with order and stability under the Ariarathid dynasty.[2][3] This can be seen on the engravings of Ariaramnes' coins, who is the first king of his dynasty to mint coins with Greek engravings instead of the traditional Aramaic.[3] On some of these coins the name Tyana is engraved, which indicates that Ariaramnes had conquered the city.[2]
Originally a vassal of the Greek Seleucid Empire, Ariaramnes rebelled and obtained independence.[1] However, he sustained friendly relations with his former suzerains, with one of his daughters marrying prince Antiochus Hierax, and the latter's sister Stratonice marrying Ariaramnes' son Ariarathes (Ariarathes III).[1] Consequently, the Seleucid king Antiochus II Theos (r. 261 – 246 BC) bestowed Ariarathes with the title of "king", who ruled together with Ariaramnes from 255 BC.[4][1] In 230 BC, Ariaramnes received Antiochus Hierax after the latter had fled from his ruling brother Seleucus II Callinicus (r. 246 – 225 BC).[1] Ariaramnes died around the same period, with Ariarathes becoming the sole ruler of the kingdom.[3][2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Shahbazi 1986, pp. 410–411.
- ^ a b c d Boyce & Grenet 1991, p. 267.
- ^ a b c Raditsa 1983, p. 111.
- ^ Raditsa 1983, p. 115.
Sources
edit- Boyce, Mary; Grenet, Frantz (1991). Beck, Roger (ed.). A History of Zoroastrianism, Zoroastrianism under Macedonian and Roman Rule. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 978-9004293915.
- Raditsa, Leo (1983). "Iranians in Asia Minor". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). The Cambridge History of Iran, Vol. 3 (1): The Seleucid, Parthian and Sasanian periods. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1139054942.
- Shahbazi, A. Shapur (1986). "Ariyāramna". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. II, Fasc. 4. pp. 410–411.