★ 3th KNOWN EXAMPLE ★

KINGS of CAPPADOCIA. Archelaos Philopatris Ktistes.(36 BC-AD 17).Eusebeia Mazaka.Hemidrachm.

Obv : Head of youthful Herakles to right, wearing lion skin draped around neck.

Rev : ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΧΕΛΑΟΥ Mount Argaios; to left.
RPC I 3608 (2 specimen).

Condition : The coin shows a silverish tone with patches of oxidation, particularly around the edges, which gives it a worn appearance. The patina has areas of darkening, with some greenish and reddish spots, likely indicating the coin’s exposure to elements over time. Despite the wear and corrosion, the details on the obverse and reverse are still distinguishable. Overall, the patina adds to its aged, historical appeal.Very fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 12h

Weight : 1.75 gr
Diameter : 15 mm

Archelaos Philopatris was the last king of Cappadocia, a historical region in central Anatolia, who reigned from 36 BC to 17 AD. His reign marked the end of Cappadocia's status as an independent kingdom before it was annexed by the Roman Empire. Archelaos was a client king of Rome, and much of his political success and survival depended on maintaining favorable relations with Roman emperors and navigating the complex politics of the Roman imperial court.Cappadocia, located in central Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), had been a prominent kingdom with a rich history, influenced by both Persian and Hellenistic cultures. By the time of Archelaos, Cappadocia was a buffer state between the Roman Empire and its eastern neighbors, including the Parthians. As a client state, Cappadocia’s rulers were expected to show loyalty to Rome while also managing the internal affairs of their kingdom.

Archelaos Philopatris came to the throne of Cappadocia in 36 BC with the support of the Roman general Mark Antony. At the time, Antony was one of the most powerful figures in the Roman world, sharing control of the Roman Republic with Octavian (later Emperor Augustus) in the aftermath of Julius Caesar’s assassination. As Antony controlled the eastern provinces of Rome, he appointed Archelaos to the throne, making him a key ally in the eastern part of the Roman-controlled world.Archelaos' ties to Rome were central to his power, and he was adept at navigating the shifting political landscape of the Roman Republic. When the Roman civil war broke out between Antony and Octavian, culminating in Antony’s defeat at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, Archelaos skillfully shifted his allegiance to Octavian, who would become the first Roman emperor, Augustus. This strategic move allowed Archelaos to maintain his position as king of Cappadocia under Roman rule.

As king, Archelaos Philopatris was expected to maintain peace and order in Cappadocia and support Roman interests in the region. Although Cappadocia retained some autonomy under his rule, its fate was closely tied to the policies of the Roman emperors. Archelaos adopted the epithet Philopatris, which means "lover of his country," signaling his loyalty both to his kingdom and to Rome.

During his reign, Archelaos worked to strengthen Cappadocia economically and militarily. He developed alliances with neighboring states, including Pontus and Armenia, and sought to protect Cappadocia’s borders from external threats, particularly from the Parthians, Rome’s eastern rivals. Cappadocia was strategically important for its resources, such as horses, and its role as a buffer state between Rome and the Parthian Empire.

In addition to his political and military role, Archelaos fostered Hellenistic culture in Cappadocia. Like other client kings of the period, he was likely involved in the promotion of Greek culture, art, and architecture, continuing the Hellenistic traditions that had spread through Anatolia following the conquests of Alexander the Great.

Archelaos managed to keep his throne through the reign of Augustus by being a loyal and useful ally to Rome. His long rule was largely peaceful, and he enjoyed the favor of the Roman emperors for much of his reign. However, after Augustus' death in 14 AD, the political dynamics in Rome began to shift.

The new emperor, Tiberius, did not have the same relationship with Archelaos as Augustus had. According to ancient sources such as Tacitus, Archelaos' fortunes changed when he fell out of favor with Tiberius, likely due to personal grievances. Archelaos had reportedly slighted Tiberius earlier, during the time when Tiberius was out of favor with Augustus. Now that Tiberius was emperor, he summoned Archelaos to Rome and accused him of treason or disloyalty. Archelaos was forced to relinquish his throne, and he lived out the rest of his life in Rome.

In 17 AD, following the deposition of Archelaos, Cappadocia was formally annexed by the Roman Empire and became a Roman province. This marked the end of Cappadocia’s long history as an independent kingdom. The annexation was part of Rome’s broader strategy of consolidating its control over the eastern provinces. Cappadocia’s resources, particularly its mineral wealth and its strategic location, made it a valuable addition to the empire.

Archelaos Philopatris is remembered as the last king of Cappadocia, a ruler who navigated the complex political dynamics of the Roman world with skill for most of his reign. His deposition and the annexation of Cappadocia illustrate the growing dominance of Rome over the eastern Mediterranean during this period. Archelaos’ reign represents the final chapter in the history of the Cappadocian monarchy, as the region transitioned from a Hellenistic kingdom to a Roman province.

Archelaos’ long reign (36 BC to 17 AD) ensured that Cappadocia remained stable and prosperous under Roman protection, even as the region became more deeply integrated into the Roman Empire. His legacy, like that of other client kings of the period, is marked by his ability to balance loyalty to Rome with the interests of his own people, until his eventual downfall at the hands of the emperor Tiberius.