Archelaus of Cappadocia had remarried in 8…

Archelaus of Cappadocia had remarried in 8 BCE, this time to the widowed Greek Client Monarch Pythodorida of Pontus, who has two sons and a daughter from her first husband Polemon I of Pontus.

When Archelaus married Pythodorida, she moved her and her family from the Black Sea to Elaiussa Sebaste.

Pythodorida is to remain with Archelaus until he dies; they will produce no offspirng.

Archelaus’ marriage to Pythodorida links their kingdoms together; thus, both monarchs have indirect control of their spouses’ realms.

Their marriage arrangement, like that of Archelaus’ daughter Glaphyra to Alexander of Judea, was doubtless orchestrated by Augustus, thereby to bind together the royal houses of Anatolia as surrogates for Roman suzerainty Although Archelaus is liked by the Romans, he experiences less success with his subjects.

On one occasion during the reign of Augustus, some Cappadocian citizens had lodged an accusation against Archelaus in Rome.

Future Roman Emperor Tiberius, beginning his civil career, had defended Archelaus from these accusations, which had ended to no avail.

Archelaus gives greater attention to Gaius Caesar, one of Augustus’ grandsons, than to Tiberius, who is one of Augustus’ stepsons.

This has caused Tiberius to become jealous, in time leading to his hatred of him.

Between 6 BCE – and CE 2, Tiberius has lived in self-imposed on the Greek island of Rhodes, while Gaius Caesar is in the Eastern Mediterranean performing various political and military duties on behalf of Augustus.