Olophernes
2. One of the two supposititious sons whom Antiochis at first imposed upon her husband, Ariarathes IV., king of Cappadocia. On the birth, however, of a real son, named Mithridates (afterwards Ariarathes V.), Olophernes, that he might not set up pretensions to the throne, was sent away into Ionia, where he does not appear to have improved his morals. When Ariarathes V. refused to marrv the sister of Demetrius Soter, the latter supported the claims of Olophernes to the crown of Cappadocia. Olophernes, however, entered into a conspiracy with the people of Antioch to dethrone Demetrius, who, having discovered the design, threw him into chains, but spared his life that he might still keep Arilrathes in alarm with his pretensions. In B. C. 157, when Ariarathes had been deposed, and had fled to Romle, Olophernes sent thither two unscrupulous ambassadors (Timothens and Diogenes) to join the emissaries of Demetrius in opposing his (so called) brother.
According to Appian the Romans decided that the two claimants should share the throne between them. We are told, however, that Olophernes did not hold the kingdom long, and that his reign was signalized by a departure from the more simple customs of his ancestors, and by the introduction of systematic debauchery, like that of the Ionians. To supply his lavish extravagance, he oppressed and pillaged his subjeets. putting many to death, and coltiscatihlln their property. Four houndired talents he deposited with the citizens of Priene, and these they afterwards restored to him. We read also that, when his affairs were on the decline, and he became alarmed lest his soldiers should mutiny, if their arrears remained unpaid, he plundered a very ancient temple of Zeus, to which great sanctity was attached, to enable him to satisfy their demands. (Diod.
Eel. 3,
Exc. de Virt. et Vit. p. 588, &c.; Phot.
l.c. ; Plb. 32.20;
App. Syr. 47; Liv.
EpLi. xlvii.;
Just. 35.1;
Athen. 10.440b; Dalecilamp and Casaub.
ad loc. ; Ael. VH 2.41; see above, Vol. I. p. 284.)
[
E.E]
