Persian rule over Cyrenaica had been followed by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE, who received tribute from the cities after taking Egypt.

The Pentapolis had been formally annexed by Ptolemy I Soter, and had been passed to the diadoch dynasty of the Lagids, better known as the Ptolemaic dynasty.

It had briefly gained independence under Magas of Cyrene, stepson of Ptolemy I, but was reabsorbed into the Ptolemaic empire after his death.

Cyrenaica had been separated from the main kingdom by Ptolemy VIII and given to his son Ptolemy Apion, who, dying without heirs in 96 BCE, bequeaths it to the Roman Republic.