Orophernes Nicephorus (in Greek Oρoφέρνης Nικηφόρoς, also known as Olophernes) was one of the two sons Antiochis (the daughter
of Antiochus III the Great) pretended to have had with Ariarathes IV, the king of Cappadocia because she failed to have children
(the name of the other was Ariarathes). However, she then did bear a child, Mithridates, and told her husband about the fake
sons. These were sent to Rome and Ionia respectively to avoid a succession dispute with the legitimate son, whose name was
changed to Ariarathes and who succeeded his father as Ariarathes V in 163 BC. A few years later Orophernes deposed him with
the help of Demetrius I Soter, who became the king of the Syria-based Seleucid Empire in 161 BC when he overthrew Antiochus
V, an underage king, and his regent, Lysias. The reign of Orophernes was short-lived. The Romans restored Ariarathes V.
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