Cappadocia’s Ariobarzanes dynasty had ended in 36 BCE with the execution, by Mark Antony, of King Ariarathes X, and the Cappadocian nobleman Archelaus had been given the throne, by favor first of Antony and then of Octavian.

Archelaus has since maintained tributary independence, having reigned over Cappadocia for fifty years and having lived to an advanced age when, in 17, there is a shortage of funds for military pay in the Roman Empire and Tiberius wants to integrate Archelaus’ kingdom into a Roman province.

Archelaus is enticed by Tiberius to come to Rome, and on arrival is accused by the Roman Senate of harboring revolutionary schemes.

Tiberius hopes Archelaus will be condemned to death by the Senate.

However Archelaus is obliged to remain in Rome, where he dies of natural causes (Tactitus leaves open the possibility that he may have committed suicide).

Cappadocia becomes a procuratorial province and his widow with her family returns to Pontus.

The Romans give Armenia Minor to his stepson Artaxias III to rule as Roman Client King, while the Cilician and the remaining territories of his former dominion are given to his son, Archelaus of Cilicia, to rule as Roman Client King.