The Bosporan kingdom has been controlled since 110 BCE by the kings of Pontus.

Asander, who had had married Pharnaces II’s daughter Dynamis before that ruler’s death, had ruled as an archon and later as king until his death in 17 BCE.

After the death of Asander, Dynamis had been compelled to marry a Roman usurper called Scribonius, who had pretends be to a relative of Dynamis, but the Romans under Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa interfere.

Agrippa orders orders Scribonius’ death and sets in his place the cultivated Polemon I, the Roman client king of Pontus, who marries Dynamis in 16 BCE.

Herod, as the Roman client king of Judea, had led a fleet to support Agrippa in the Bosporan affair, and the two now travel together along the coast of western Asia Minor.