Nysa of Cappadocia
Nysa of Cappadocia was a Pontic princess who became Queen of Cappadocia. She ruled on behalf of her young son from about 130 to 126 BC. She came from Greek, Macedonian, and Persian ancestry as the daughter of Pharnaces I and a queen named Nysa; her brother was Mithridates, later Mithridates V. She is also known as Laodice. Her mother Nysa is believed to have died in childbirth.
After 160 BC, Nysa married Ariarathes V, and through this marriage she became Queen of Cappadocia. They admired Athens and its culture, and the Athenians honored them as patrons of the arts, with a decree and a statue in their shrine, and birthdays celebrated for Nysa and Ariarathes V.
Ariarathes V died in 130 BC, and their youngest son Ariarathes VI succeeded him. Nysa had five other sons with Ariarathes V. Some sources say she poisoned these brothers to take control of the kingdom. Because Ariarathes VI was still a minor, Nysa ruled as regent from 130 to 126 BC.
The Cappadocian people, loyal to the royal line, had Nysa executed for cruelty, allowing Ariarathes VI to continue as king. Her regency was a turbulent period that helped bring the ruling dynasty to an end. Her grandchildren, Ariarathes VII and Ariarathes VIII, were the last kings of the dynasty.
Coins from her regency survive, including one showing Nysa and Ariarathes VI, and another with an inscription naming Queen Nysa and King Ariarathes Epiphanes, along with a depiction of Athena.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 08:54 (CET).