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Title: Kings of Sophene in the Hellenistic Period
Author(s): MARCIAK, Michał
Journal: Bibliotheca Orientalis
Volume: 79    Issue: 5-6   Date: 2022   
Pages: 509-520
DOI: 10.2143/BIOR.79.5.3292082

Abstract :
This paper overviews both historical and recently published numismatic evidence for the historicity of rulers of Sophene in the Hellenistic period. It is concluded that attributions of rare coins to Sophene cannot be accepted on the sole basis of numismatic data if they are not accompanied by textual or epigraphic evidence. As a result, the historicity of only the following rulers of Sophene can beseen as being firmly established in the current state of research: Samos (attested in the mid-3rd c. BCE), Arsames (attested in ca. 227 BCE), Xerxes (attested in ca. 212 BCE), Zariadres (attested in 188 BCE), Mithrobuzanes (attested between 188 BCE and 163 BCE), and Arsakes/Artanes (attested in 95 BCE). Furthermore, the identification of Arkathias in the second half of the 2nd c. BCE is likely.

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