Ariobarzanes III of Cappadocia

Who is Ariobarzanes III of Cappadocia?

Ariobarzanes III, surnamed Eusebes Philorhomaios, "Pious and Friend of the Romans", was the king of Cappadocia from ca. 51 BC until 42 BC. He was of Persian and Greek ancestry. The Roman Senate agreed that he was to be his father's successor who was Ariobarzanes II of Cappadocia and Cicero, Roman governor of Cilicia, noted that he was surrounded by enemies which included his mother Athenais. Originally highly supportive of Pompey despite the cost, he was maintained in his position after Julius Caesar won the civil war in Rome, even gaining territory with the addition of Lesser Armenia. The liberator Cassius Longinus had him executed in 42 BC because he would not allow more Roman intervention in his kingdom. His brother was Ariarathes X of Cappadocia.