Nysa of Cappadocia

Nysa or Nyssa (, flourished 150s BC-126 BC) was a princess from the Kingdom of Pontus and was a Queen of Cappadocia. She was the ruler of Cappadocia on behalf of her minor son in 130-126 BC. Biography Nysa was of Greek Macedonian and Persian ancestry. She was the daughter of Pharnaces I of Pontus and queen Nysa. Her brother was Mithridates. who became Mithridates V of Pontus. She is also known as Laodice. Nysa was the namesake of her mother, who is believed to have died during childbirth, while giving birth to either her or Mithridates. She was born and raised in the Kingdom of Pontus. Sometime after 160 BC, Nysa married King Ariarathes V of Cappadocia. They were distant relatives as they had lineage from the Seleucid dynasty and from the Pontian monarchs. Through this marriage Nysa became Queen of Cappadocia. Ariarathes V and Nysa were attracted to the culture of Athens. Nysa had either given the Athenians a gift or done a favor for them. They were honored as patrons by the Technitai of Dionysus at Athens. The guild voted a decree in their honor. It placed a statue of Ariarathes V, in their shrine and celebrated the birthdays of Nysa and Ariarathes V in recognition of the gifts the artists had received from them.