Cappadocia, Caesarea. Archelaus, 36 BC-17 AD, c. year 22 (15-14 BC)
Cappadocia, Caesarea. Archelaus, 36 BC-17 AD, c. year 22 (15-14 BC)
AR Drachm, 3.57g (19mm, 1h).
Diademed head r. / Club and regnal year.
Pedigree: R. Jameson Collection (1861-1942), 1638. Leu 20 (25 April 1978), 156. W. Wahler Collection, NFA XXV (29 November 1990), 184. Leu 81 (16 May 2001), 318
References: BMC 2; Jameson 1638 (this coin); SNG Copenhagen 165 var
Grade: Scratch on reverse alongside club. Club not fully struck. Wonderful sharp obverse strick of Archelaus on obverse. From the esteemed Jameson Collecton. In particularly high quality. Mint State
gk2104
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Archelaus was the last king of Cappadocia, reigning from 36 BCE until his death. He was installed as king by Mark Antony in 36 BCE after Antony deposed and executed the previous king, Ariarathes X. Archelaus was the son of the High Priest of Comana in Cappadocia and Glaphyra, who was the mistress of Mark Antony and used her influence to secure the throne for her son. Despite his initial appointment by Antony, Archelaus defected to Octavian after the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE and retained his crown by making peace with the future emperor Augustus. Augustus not only confirmed Archelaus in his kingdom but in 20 BCE added eastern Lycaonia and parts of Cilicia to his domain. In 8 BCE, Archelaus married Pythodorida of Pontus, widow of King Polemon I, which gave him indirect control of most of Pontus and linked the royal houses of Anatolia under Roman oversight. Around 10 BCE, Archelaus renamed the capital city of Mazaca to Caesarea in honor of Augustus, undertaking significant urban development.
