Laodice (wife of Mithridates II of Commagene)


Laodice, was a Greek woman who lived in the 1st century BC. She had married the Greek King from the Kingdom of Commagene, Mithridates II of Commagene, the first son and heir to Greek King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene and Greek Queen Isias of Commagene. Mithridates II reigned as King of Commagene from 38 BC-20 BC.
Laodice through her marriage to Mithridates II became Queen of Commagene. Little is known on her and her origins. There is a possibility like Mithridates II; Laodice was a descendant of Seleucus I Nicator, the founder of the Seleucid Empire, and a general of the ancient Macedonian king, Alexander the Great. Laodice bore Mithridates II a child, the prince and future King Mithridates III of Commagene.
Laodice is only known through from an inscription of a funerary altar found in the Turkish village of Sofraz of a local wealthy leading family, which dates around the mid-1st century AD. The altar inscribes family members that stretches over 7 generations and includes the names: Antiochus I Theos, Mithridates II, and Laodice.