Ariarathes IX of Cappadocia

Ariarathes IX Eusebes Philopator (Ancient Greek: Ἀριαράθης Εὐσεβής Φιλοπάτωρ, Ariaráthēs Eusebḗs Philopátōr; reigned ca. 101–89 BC or 96 BC–95 BC), was made king of Cappadocia by his father King Mithridates VI of Pontus after the assassination of Ariarathes VII of Cappadocia. Since he was only eight years old, he was put under the regency of the Cappadocian Gordius. He was early overthrown by a rebellion by the Cappadocian nobility who replaced him with Ariarathes VIII of Cappadocia, whom Mithridates promptly expelled, restoring Ariarathes IX. In 95 BC the Roman Senate ordered to depose him and, after a short period of direct Pontic rule, a brief restoration of Ariarathes VIII and an attempt of instauration of a Republic, put in his place a man chosen by the Cappadocians, who rejected the idea of a Republic: the choice fell on Ariobarzanes I Philoromaios, who was expelled by Mithridates's ally Tigranes the Great, bringing to the brief restoration of Ariarathes IX, who was deposed once again by the Romans in 89 BC. Two years later, in 87 BC, Ariarathes IX died fighting for his father in Thessaly.

References

• Hazel, John; Who's Who in the Greek World, "Ariarathes IX", (1999)

Preceded by Ariarathes VIII

King of Cappadocia ca. 101 BC – 96 BC

Succeeded by Ariobarzanes I Philoromaios