A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

a Cappadocian by birth, the instrument of Mithridates Eupator VI. in his attempts to annex Cappadocia to Pontus. Gordius was employed by him, in B. C. 96, to murder Ariarathes VI. king of Cappadocia [ARIARATHES, No. 6]. He was afterwards tutor of a son of Mithridates. whom, after the murder of Ariarathes VII. he made king of Cappadocia. Gordius was sent as the envoy of Mithridates to Rome, and afterwards employed by him to engage Tigranes, king of Armenia, to attack Cappadocia, and expel Ariobarzanes I., whom the Romans made king of that country in B. C. 93. Sulla restored Ariobarzanes in the following year, and drove Gordius out of Cappadocia. Gordius was opposed to Muraena on the banks of the Halys, B. C. 83-2. (Justin, 38.1-3; App. Mith. 66; Plut. Sull. 5.)

[W.B.D]